The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Pheister Family Scholarship for Media Excellence. This scholarship is generously provided by Jason Pheister and his wife, Erin Tunis Pheister. Jason Pheister is a 2001 graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting. He was one of four individuals inducted into the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame this spring.
“I’m originally from Columbus but spent almost eight years in West Virginia between Marshall and working at local TV stations. The state holds a special place in my heart forever which is why it was so important that we pay it forward,” Pheister said.
As a multi-time Emmy award-winning journalist, he worked for several media companies, including WSAZ, WOWK, WCMH, WBNS, as well as The Columbus Dispatch. He also has led television and digital networks for Time Warner Cable across the country. He is the vice president of content and news at Spectrum Networks for Charter Communications. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, he has a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University and a Master of Science in Innovation from Northeastern University.
Jason Pheister began learning about journalism in high school as he was involved with his school’s newspaper as well as its TV program. As a junior and senior, he had the opportunity to come to Marshall for high school journalism competitions. The professors, such as Dr. George Arnold, Dr. Charles G. Bailey and Dr. Ralph Turner, took a great interest in him, he said, and the overall experience is what led him to Huntington to attend Marshall for his bachelor’s degree.
“My time at Marshall and in Huntington had a profound impact on my life and career and we wanted to find a way to help others have that same experience,” Pheister said.
The scholarship recipient shall be at least a sophomore journalism major in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications who is in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA and has financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference to a student from Columbus, Ohio. Second preference to a student from Ohio and third preference to a student from West Virginia.
“It’s our intent that the scholarship be awarded to an innovative and aspiring student pursuing a career in journalism and media. We truly hope this can help someone,” Pheister said.