E Lanier Finch Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Georgia Association of Broadcasters

History of the Award

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters reestablished its scholarship program in 2005 to honor the late E. Lanier (Lanny) Finch, President Emeritus, for his leadership and long-standing contributions to the association. The program was formalized as The GAB E. Lanier (Lanny) Finch Scholarship Foundation to recognize his legacy and support the next generation of broadcasters. The foundation links member stations with students pursuing broadcasting careers in Georgia. It emphasizes the association's commitment to professional development and community service within the state's broadcasting industry.

History of the Award: Created in 2005 to honor Lanny Finch and to provide ongoing scholarship support through the GAB Scholarship Foundation.

• Established to honor Lanny Finch’s contributions to GAB.
• Reestablished in 2005 as a dedicated scholarship foundation.
• Connects member stations with Georgia-based broadcasting students.

Overview

The Finch Scholarship Foundation provides targeted financial support to students preparing for careers in broadcasting while strengthening ties between industry employers and educational programs. The scholarships benefit both GAB member stations and students by fostering talent pipelines and promoting professional standards. The program is administered through the association and reflects its mission to encourage excellence in Georgia broadcasting. Selection and award processes are managed by participating member stations.

Description: A scholarship program administered by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters to support promising students entering the broadcasting field.

• Supports students pursuing broadcasting degrees.
• Facilitates connections between education and industry.
• Awards are managed through GAB member station participation.

Purpose

The Finch Scholarship is designed to encourage professionalism and ethical responsibility in Georgia's broadcasting industry while promoting collaboration between higher education and the profession. It aims to identify and support students who show commitment and potential as future broadcasters. The fund emphasizes journalistic ethics, societal responsibility, and leadership development among recipients. These goals guide selection and the ongoing focus of the scholarship program.

Purpose: To raise professional standards, foster education-industry relationships, promote journalistic ethics, and support promising future broadcasters.

• Encourages higher standards of professionalism.
• Strengthens ties between academia and the broadcasting profession.
• Promotes ethics and societal responsibility in broadcasting.

Selection Criteria

Participating GAB member stations select scholarship recipients based on a holistic review of applicants. Judges evaluate scholastic records, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and leadership potential, and make allowances for differing levels of industry experience. No single broadcasting field receives preferential treatment, and selection is strictly non-discriminatory. The process is intended to identify candidates most likely to contribute positively to Georgia’s broadcasting community.

Selection Criteria: Selection is by participating GAB member stations and considers academics, activities, community service, leadership, and experience without discrimination.

• Evaluations consider academics and extracurricular involvement.
• Experience levels are taken into account; no field preference.
• Selection follows a non-discrimination policy.

Award Details

The Finch Scholarship awards financial assistance to qualifying students enrolled full time at accredited colleges or universities. Scholarships are valued at $1,500 each, with up to five awards available annually. Eligible applicants are rising juniors or seniors pursuing a broadcasting-related degree and must be bona fide residents of the state of Georgia. Awards are designed to support students who demonstrate commitment to the broadcasting profession.

Award Value: $1,500 per scholarship; up to five scholarships may be awarded each year.

Eligibility: Full-time students at accredited institutions who are rising juniors or seniors studying broadcasting and are bona fide Georgia residents.

• $1,500 scholarship amount per recipient.
• Up to five scholarships awarded annually.
• Requires full-time enrollment, rising junior/senior status, and Georgia residency.