A group of exceptional students from the School of Communication are the recipients of a 2013 Wine Spectator Foundation Scholarship. The Wine Spectator Foundation Scholarship is an annual scholarship that awards $50,000 a year to deserving students studying communication at the University of Miami.

This year’s winners are:
Aaron Agrasanchez, Motion Pictures
Brittany Camper, Broadcast Journalism
Daniela Ortega, Broadcast Journalism
Kate Maier, Motion Pictures
Scott McCartney, Media Management
Morgan McKie, Motion Pictures
Carlos Mella, Advertising
Kelsey Quinn, Advertising
Amilyn Soto, Advertising

Students vying for the Wine Spectator Foundation Scholarship were required to submit a project about the following topics: wine, food, restaurants, travel, and tourism.  The project could consist of a video, web site, press kit, advertising campaign, journalistic story, or research paper.

Using the skills they learned in the classroom, SoC students let their creativity shine, producing everything from videos for a Portuguese cooking show to an extensive marketing campaign for a fictional brand of Rosè wine complete with billboard ad concepts, bus shelter ads, and merchandising.

The SoC’s scholarship committee reviewed the projects and selected the top students.

“The Wine Spectator Foundation Scholarship competition brings out the very best in our communication students,” says Luis Herrera, assistant dean of the School of Communication. “The projects this year demonstrate the level of professionalism and creative talent at the University of Miami School of Communication. We congratulate all the winners and are very grateful to Marvin Shanken for making the competition possible.”

UM alumnus and SoC donor Marvin Shanken, B.B.A. ’65, is the founder and chairman of M. Shanken Communications, a top publishing and internet company based in New York City that produces five magazines, including Wine Spectatorand Cigar Aficionado. He has supported the University for many years as a member of an advisory board at the School of Business and through the Wine Spectator Foundation Scholarship.

Last October, 10 students from the School of Communication, including public relations, journalism, and advertising majors were selected to travel to New York City and see the inner workings of M. Shanken Communications.  They participated in interactive discussions and presentations led by the company’ staff about each part of the publishing process.  The trip included a stipend for transportation, housing, and dining in the big city.

Join Shanken and other SoC supporters in making a difference in the lives of UM students. Make a gift here, today.