NSNC Education Foundation / Scholarship

About the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Education Foundation

The NSNC Education Foundation is a tax-exempt non-profit foundation [501(c)3] devoted to the education and training of new and experienced columnists everywhere. The foundation was incorporated in 2003 in the state of Texas.

The core mission of the Education Foundation is to foster training opportunities for columnists and others interested in column writing. The foundation works with the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and others to serve as a training tool for both aspiring and published columnists in all media. The foundation’s special emphasis has been on helping assist college columnists.

The NSNCEF awards annual scholarships to three outstanding student newspaper columnists who write for U.S. college or university undergraduate newspapers. First prize is $1,000. Second prize is $500. Third prize is $250. Contributions to the NSNCEF are welcome. Funds go toward helping train columnists. (Here is a list of previous recipients and also a link to articles about the foundation and scholarship program.)

In February 2012, the Education Foundation board, with the endorsement of the NSNC board, named the scholarship the Jeff Zaslow College Columnist Award. It honors the memory of the best-selling author and Wall Street Journal columnist, who died that month in an auto accident at the age of 53. First place is the Jeff Zaslow College Columnist Award winner.

In November 2012, the Education Foundation board named the second-place award in this contest the Laurence Cohen Presidential Award. Larry Cohen, elected NSNC president in May 2012, died in August of a heart attack at age 64.

The contest for the three scholarships of the Jeff Zaslow College Columnist Award is open to undergraduates (including seniors) who write bylined general interest, editorial page or Op-Ed page columns. Sports columns, movie reviews, magazine columnists and other specialized columns are not eligible. There is no entry fee. One entry for each student newspaper columnist is permitted. Click here for the 2013 entry form.

Donations are welcome and may be sent to:

NSNC Education Foundation
c/o Luenna Kim, Executive Director
P.O. Box 411532
San Francisco, CA 94141

For more information about the Zaslow scholarships, contact NSNC Education Chairman Joel Brinkley, Stanford University, by e-mail at joel.brinkley@stanford.edu or by phone at (650) 723.2504.

Officers
Jim Casto, president
Tracy Beckerman, vice president
Dave Lieber, secretary
Joe Blundo, treasurer
Dr. Amy Reynolds, assistant secretary/treasurer