About the DeVesty-Williams Scholarship

The Syracuse Press Club provides a $2,000 scholarship each year to one full-time, undergraduate student who is studying print, broadcast, digital, photo or visual journalism. Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, work/internship experience, a personal philosophy statement, media samples and professional references.

A committee of media professionals evaluates each application. The recipient is recognized as an honored guest at the Syracuse Press Club annual awards dinner each spring. Eligible students are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible students must be both enrolled at a college or university in the Syracuse Press Club service area and a permanent resident of that area. The area includes the following counties: Onondaga, Madison, Cortland, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Herkimer, Oneida, Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, Broome, Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, Wayne, Seneca, Schuyler and Yates. A student’s college residence is not considered a permanent residence.

Questions? Please contact the scholarship committee chair at syracusepressclub@gmail.com.

Deadline: March 13, 2026

Past winners of the DeVesty-Williams Scholarship

Scholarships are presented each year in memory of longtime SPC Treasurer Dick DeVesty and 1966 SPC President Glenn Williams.

2025: Ryan Storie, Syracuse University

2024: Thomas Cafarella, SUNY Oswego

2023: Alexandra Elkins, Onondaga Community College and St. Bonaventure University

2022: Moriah Humiston, Syracuse University

2021: Shannon Kirkpatrick, Syracuse University

2020: Emma Folts, Syracuse University

2019: Debra Born, Utica College

2018: Colleen Ferguson, Syracuse University

2017: Taylor Watson, Syracuse University

2016: Amari Pollard, LeMoyne College

2015: Justin Mattingly, Syracuse University

2014: Patrick Malowski, SUNY Oswego

2013: Paul Valentino, Onondaga Community College

2012: Asa Stackel, SUNY Oswego

(The 2007 scholarships were also presented in memory of Bill Leaf, WSYR Radio reporter.)

2007: Sara Carmichael; broadcast journalism, Syracuse University

2007: Marissa Broe; magazine journalism, Syracuse University

2006: Christine Mattheis; magazine journalism/political science; Syracuse University

2005: Dan Bumpus; broadcast journalism/economics, Syracuse University

2005: Lesley Snyder; broadcast journalism, Hofstra University

2004: Allyson Collins; magazine journalism/biology, Syracuse University

2004: Alexandra Goncarovs; broadcast journalism, TC3

2003: Allison Deyoe; broadcast journalism, Syracuse University

2003: Katherine Hanzalik; journalism, Ithaca College
(The 2002 scholarships were presented in memory of Donna Speziale, WTVH reporter, director)

2002: Shannon Perry; journalism, SUNY Oswego

2002: Alaina Potrikus; print journalism, Syracuse University

2001: Michael Ricke; broadcast journalism, Syracuse University

2001: Robert S. Driscoll; journalism technology, SUNY Morrisville

2000: David Angelo Levinthal; newspaper/political philosophy, Syracuse University

2000: Michele M. Mariani; magazine journalism, Syracuse University

1999: Leila Walsh; broadcast journalism, Syracuse University

1999: Kathryn Walson; print journalism, Syracuse University

(The 1998 scholarships were presented in memory of Charles Bivens, WSTM-TV.)

1998: Tiffany Woods; broadcast journalism/political science, SU

1998: Elizabeth Krol; journalism, Syracuse University

1993: David Clarey; Syracuse University

1992: Jan Phillips; photojournalism, Syracuse University

1991: Pamela R. Davis; electronic meda, Cornell University

1991: Brenda Owens; SUNY Brockport

1990: Dan Maffei; journalism, Columbia University

1989: Jeffrey D’Alessio; journalism, St. Bonaventure University

1988: Steven Freeman; photography/business management, RIT

1988: Sondra J. Neis; Syracuse University

1987: Janet Essman; environmental science/magazine journalism; SUNY ESF/SU

1987: Cyndi Schopfer; print journalism, Lynchburg College (VA)

1986: Suzanne M. Getman; writing arts, SUNY Oswego

1986: Tania S. Anderson; Syracuse University

1985: Katherine Belge; Syracuse University

1985: Lizabeth Jamieson Menzies; Syracuse University

1985: Katherine Banos; OCC

1984: Tania S. Anderson; SU