Five first-year students at Eastern Mennonite University have received renewable scholarships to study photography or digital media.
Departmental scholarships at EMU are awarded to incoming students in specific academic and extracurricular programs, including photography or digital media in the visual and communication arts (VACA) program. The scholarships of up to $3,000 can be renewed for four years and are in addition to their basic financial aid packages.
Scholarship awardees this year include:
Asha Beck (Linville, Virginia) has long been interested in environmentally sustainable and community-connecting architecture. She is at EMU to gain “a wider perspective” about how the designing of spaces and colors can impact individuals and communities, she said. In addition to the academics, though, she is eager for “new faith perspectives on life and academics.”
Jeremy Blain (Meriden, Connecticut) took three years of classes as well as an independent study in photography in high school – and won an advanced photography award plus chaired an art show for two years. He came to EMU for its conservation nature photography offerings and has a long-term goal of working as a photographer for National Geographic.
Tyler Johnson (Roanoke, Virginia) practiced his photography skills while travelling through six countries last year, and took design classes at a community college. At EMU he’s majoring in digital media and communication to prepare for a career in graphic design.
Eric Ocaranza (Highland, Virginia) is an aspiring photojournalist and nature and sports photographer majoring in photography, an EMU program he said is “amazing.”
McKenzie VanHandel (Cream Ridge, New Jersey) came to EMU for the small-school community and four-year photography major. She plans to be a travel photographer, perhaps working for National Geographic or Backpacker magazine.