The Rebecca Gross Award is given annually to an outstanding senior at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven majoring in communication with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The student must also be involved with on- or off-campus paid or volunteer work in journalism or mass communication.
This year's recipient is Kerri Hoover of Bellefonte. Hoover is a senior communication major with a triple focus in advertising and public relations, electronic media, and journalism. She is also pursuing a minor in business.
Along with boasting a 3.99 GPA, Hoover is the president and co-editor of the Eagle Eye student newspaper and president of the National Communication Honor Society, Lambda Phi Eta. She is a member of LHU's Full Gospel Fellowship, and a member of the WLHU Radio Club.
Hoover chose Lock Haven for its proximity to her hometown after hearing positive feedback about the university from her family, friends, and high school teachers. When visiting, Hoover thought the campus was beautiful and enjoyed Lock Haven's rural-town charm. Since enrolling, she has also been very impressed with the quality of education she has received, especially within her major.
"The communication program is a fantastic program with amazing professors and students," Hoover said. "We get a lot of first-hand experience working with different kinds of media and equipment, all while improving our communication skills, both written and orally. We may be a small department, but it's like a second family."
Without scholarships, Hoover said she would not be able to attend college. She lauded the financial assistance she receives from the Rebecca Gross Award for its role in helping provide her the opportunity to continue her education in a field that she is passionate about.
"I come from a single-income family whose sole financial provider had a work-related injury and received abbreviated pay for a significant period of time," Hoover said. "As a result, I was concerned about how I would afford college."
"I'm super thankful for this scholarship because it allows me to continue my schooling in this fantastic program without significant worry about how I am going to afford it," she added. "I want the donors of my scholarship to know how much of an honor it is to be recognized with this award."
Hoover said that The Haven faculty genuinely cares about their students and sees them as more than just a number. She also believes that professors genuinely take time to build meaningful connections with their students by getting to know them outside the classroom.
"Congratulations to Kerri for earning this recognition. Her academic achievements are impressive and demonstrate her commitment to excellence. She is sure to thrive as a young professional with the skills she has acquired at The Haven," said Bashar W. Hanna, Commonwealth University president.
Hoover is slated to graduate in May of 2023 and hopes to become a social media specialist or ad designer.
