School of Communication Student Receives Radio Scholarship

Illinois State University senior Mark Long of Wheaton has been awarded a prestigious national Bayliss Radio Scholarship by the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation. Long is a mass media major with a focus in radio and the General Manager of WZND Radio, Illinois State's student radio station. Long is also a part time disc jockey at WBNQ Radio in Bloomington.

Long received the scholarship, worth $5,000 for this academic year. Each year, the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation awards radio broadcasting scholarships to twelve students across the nation. The Bayliss Radio Scholarship is given to radio students who demonstrate their excellence in academic achievement and extracurricular radio activities, their passion for radio and their desire to contribute to the overall advancement of the radio industry.

Applicants were required to submit an application, résumé, a two page essay about their radio career goals, and three letters of recommendation. Long's essay detailed his work at WZND and his goals to become an on-air personality. He stressed the importance of keeping radio an active component of the community. 

Previously, Long received the Abe Voron Scholarship, also a $5,000 scholarship, which recognizes students who show interest in radio and demonstrate high integrity and responsibility.

He has also been given recognition for his commercial writing from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Long received 2nd Place Outstanding Radio Commercial in 2008 for a spot he wrote for the Normal Public Library.