Melissa Douglas ’18 is Elon University’s first-ever recipient of the Richard Eaton Foundation Scholarship presented annually to students studying electronic media.
Melissa Douglas ’18, a cinema and television arts major and Communications Fellow, was awarded the Richard Eaton Foundation Scholarship, one of nine scholarships presented by the Broadcast Education Association for the 2017-18 academic year. The BEA scholarship committee selected Douglas and her fellow recipients at its November meeting in Washington, D.C.
This year’s BEA scholarship recipients hail from universities throughout the country, including Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, Illinois State University, Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma.
A native of Jamestown, North Carolina, Douglas has been heavily involved in campus organizations, participating in Elon Student Television, FreshTV and New Student Orientation, among other activities. She has also worked in The Gear Room, the School of Communications’ equipment room, and traveled with the Imagining the Internet Center to Washington, D.C., and Guadalajara, Mexico.
Most recently, Douglas served as ESTV’s general manager during the fall 2016 semester, overseeing the operations of six student-produced programs, ranging from skit comedy to talk and discussion to sports broadcasts. She worked with production teams on budgets, timelines, studio use, and equipment and material needs.
“This past semester was challenging because of all the changes in the School of Communications, but it was also extremely rewarding,” said Douglas, alluding to the renovations in McEwen Communications Building. “The position takes a lot of dedication, but I enjoyed working to help ESTV reach its greatest potential.”
This spring she will participate in the Elon in LA program and has accepted an audience coordination internship with 1iota to work on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Gibson recommended that Douglas apply for the BEA scholarship this fall, noting her commitment to both her studies and her many extracurricular activities. In fact, Gibson thought so much of Douglas she served as his Elon 101 teaching assistant.
“I have found Melissa to be more than an outstanding student with high academic marks; she is a strong organizer and motivator, a capable leader, and a great team player,” said Gibson. “She always has a strong positive outlook even when a day has been presenting difficult challenges.”
Lauren Duncan ’18, a cinema and television arts and strategic communications double major, received a BEA Founders Scholarship last year.
Broadcast Education Association
The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is the professional development association for professors, industry professionals and students involved in teaching and research related to radio, television and other electronic media.