PITTSBURGH, PA, JUNE 4, 2012 – The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation unveiled the winners of its 8th Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship Program at the Fred Forward Conference in Latrobe, Pennsylvania last night. The scholarship is a tribute to the legacy of the late Fred Rogers, whose influence on quality children’s programming through his long-running television program “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is unparalleled. Fred Rogers’ wife, Joanne Rogers, Television Academy Foundation Executive Director Norma Provencio Pichardo, Ernst & Young LLP’s Kimberlee Gillespie and The Grable Foundation’s Gregg Behr presented the scholars with their awards at a reception honoring the students.
Four outstanding recipients -- Alexandra Castro Klarén, Kelly Lake, Tatenda Mbudzi and Kelly Whitney --were awarded $10,000 Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarships and recognized for their innovative ideas and remarkable dedication to the education and development of children through media. Additionally the Television Academy Foundation will assign a mentor from the Academy’s Children’s Programming Peer Group to each honoree, who will work with them throughout the academic year.
The monetary awards for Lake, Mbudzi and Whitney are made possible by Ernst & Young LLP, which has sponsored the scholarship program since its inception. Ernst & Young is the leading auditor of Media & Entertainment companies identified on the 2011 Fortune Global 500 and Forbes Global 2000 lists.
“Ernst & Young has a strong commitment to the education and mentoring of today’s youth, so we are thrilled to provide funding for the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship,” said Kimberlee Gillespie, Ernst & Young partner. “We share the Television Academy Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of children’s media, and look forward to seeing the contributions of the award recipients.”
For the second year in a row, the Grable Foundation has provided an additional $10,000 scholarship, which was awarded to Castro Klarén from the University of Pittsburgh. The Grable Foundation is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in Pittsburgh -- Fred Roger's hometown. The scholarship is awarded to a Pittsburgh-based student focused on studying interactive children’s media.
“The Television Academy Foundation is proud to honor these Fred Rogers Scholars, and as their careers progress, we look to them to make a positive impact in children’s entertainment and children’s educational media,” said Television Academy Foundation Executive Director Norma Provencio Pichardo. “For years Fred Rogers inspired, entertained and educated children around the world and we know that these students have what it takes to continue his legacy.”
The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship is rooted in the values that “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” embodied. That groundbreaking daily program continues to be the gold standard of how television can enlighten, educate and increase social consciousness and understanding. It celebrates imagination and play, explores children's feelings and sense of self-worth, and treats young viewers with love and respect.
The Fred Forward Conference, put together by the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College, takes place June 3-5 in Latrobe. The event brings together national leaders in education, research, technology, policy, and children’s media for discussion and action planning around a Fred Rogers Center initiative to help achieve consensus on building a framework for quality in digital media for young children.
About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation
Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of the medium, and educating those who will impact its future. Some of the Foundation's programs include the Archive of American Television, its renowned student internship program and the College Television Awards. For more information on the Foundation, please visit EmmysFoundation.org.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.
About The Grable Foundation
The Grable Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in southwestern Pennsylvania. During the past 20 years, the Foundation has awarded approximately $175 million in support of schools and charitable organizations helping kids become independent, caring, and contributing members of society.
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