The Communications Department offers a scholarship to students within the Communications Department in memory of its founder, Dr. Esther Ritter Davis. The scholarship is given to outstanding communications students.
Dr. Davis joined the university faculty in December 1975 and, working with Campus Times adviser Gary Colby, proceeded to organize a journalism department. Davis orchestrated the growth of the radio and television departments while serving as department chair.
Dr. Davis died at the age of 83 in May 1991, and left the University of La Verne Communications Department with an impressive legacy.
A native of Formoso, Kansas, Dr. Davis is credited with building several communications departments in area colleges, including Los Angeles Valley College and Pasadena City College. She was gifted at instilling a love of her subject in her students, and then taking a personal interest in their careers.
How to Apply
The following criteria will be used in determining the recipient(s) of the Esther Davis Scholarship:
The scholarship shall be awarded to a student who will be a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in Journalism, Digital Media, or Communications. The recipient(s) shall be selected by the faculty of the Communications Department and will be based on the student’s commitment, involvement, and academic success in the Communications Department. The department may choose, at its discretion, to select a single person or multiple scholarship recipients.
Application Process
Students must fill out the application form online and attach a 250-300 word typed, double-spaced essay explaining the student’s involvement in and contribution to the Communications Department, with particular respect to academic achievements and involvement in departmental activities, and an updated resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will reopen in Spring 2025
How to Donate
Those interested in making donations are invited to do so securely online through the University Advancement office.
Those who wish to donate by check can make a check payable to ULV Davis Memorial Scholarship and send donations to:
University of La Verne
University Advancement
1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
Current Recipient: Aidan Kostich
The 27th annual Esther Davis Scholarship was presented to sophomore Aidan Kostich at the Communications Department Awards Ceremony on May 19, 2024.
Aidan, from Rancho Cucamonga, California, is a sophomore digital media major with a concentration in film and television. He an aspiring filmmaker who has worked as a freelance editor and cinematographer, as well as a digital media student assistant in the Communications Department. Although only a sophomore, he was a contributing crew member on all four 2024 senior project productions, as well as director of photography on a fifth student film. He has been a recipient of the Communications Department performance scholarship in film and television production.
Congratulations, Aidan!