Ruth I. Kolpin Broadcast Journalism Endowed Scholarship

Students majoring in Mass Communications with an emphasis on broadcasting  benefit from a generous donation establishing an endowed scholarship at Missouri Southern State University.  The Ruth I. Kolpin Foundation Board of Directors  established a scholarship, known as the Ruth I. Kolpin Broadcast Journalism Endowed Scholarship.  The generous donation allows for a substantial annual scholarship for deserving students, provided from the income of the principal amount of the endowment.

The recipients for the 2009-10 academic year are Patricia Pham, a mass communication major from Joplin, and Brooke Lairmore, a mass communication major from Springfield.  The scholarships were awarded at the Communication Department Awards Ceremony by Ruth Kolpin-Rubison and her son, Ron Petersen.

The recipients for the 2006-07 academic year were Megan Harrison, from Parsons, Kansas and Danielle Dunn, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

The recipient for the 2005-2006 academic year was Brett Gilbertson, from Coffeyville, Kansas.  Brett received the scholarship at the Communication banquet on April 28, 2005.

The first recipient, for the 2004-2005 academic year, was Darren Gibbs, from Warrenton, Missouri.  He received the scholarship at the Communication banquet on May 8, 2004. 

The scholarship was presented to Darren by Mrs. Ruth Kolpin-Rubison.   

Ruth Kolpin-Rubison is one of Southwest Missouri’s pioneers in broadcasting.  Her long career included work in radio, television and cable television in two states.  She was recognized as the recipient of the first Pioneer Broadcaster Award from Missouri Southern in 1997.  The award recognizes individuals who made significant contributions to the development of the local broadcast industry.

Dr. Jay Moorman said, "The Department of Communications is thrilled to have this recognition of our program.  We are excited that Mrs. Kolpin-Rubison's timely contribution will enable deserving students in the future to follow her example of hard work and broadcasting skill."