Criteria

The distributions from this fund shall be as a scholarship merit award for incoming juniors who are certified in the Murrow College of Communication. The awardee(s) will demonstrate Mr. Heuterman’s high standards of objectivity in news reporting. They will also demonstrate integrity in their conduct, representing themselves, the Murrow College and WSU as future communication professionals in the workforce. This award will distinguish them as Murrow Scholars. Past “Heuterman award” recipients may reapply for the award. This is not based on financial need.

Background

Dave and Sandy Gellatly established this fund in honor of Mr. Thomas H. Heuterman, Dave’s former professor, with the hope to inspire others to support this effort with gifts to this fund. The Gellatlys endowed this fund to ensure Mr. Heuterman’s legacy is present in the classroom today through the students who exemplify Mr. Heuterman’s high standards and journalistic objectivity. The awarded students will have this distinction amongst their peers. As penned in the Washington State Magazine story “My best and toughest journalism professors at WSU, by Pat Caraher: “Mr. Heuterman joined the faculty in 1965. The former Evergreen editor and alumnus taught mass communications and society, news writing, public affairs reporting, beginning reporting and a journalism seminar. His 31-year tenure included stints as Chairman of Communication and Head of the Journalism Program. Heuterman brought a “boots on the ground” element to the classroom. His background included eight years as a public affairs reporter at the Yakima Herald-Republic. Under Heuterman’s direction in 1998, the Communication Department initiated a required 45-minute pretest of all prospective WSU communications students. He believed that the essay tests logic and clarity of thought, which are not as easy to correct as errors in spelling or grammar. Heuterman is retired in the Mount Vernon area.”