Academy Establishes Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and its Children's Programming Peer Group have established the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship in honor of Fred Rogers, the creator and long-time host of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. The $10,000 annual scholarship was announced as a special surprise for Rogers' widow, Joanne, during the Television Academy's star-studded presentation "A Tribute to Fred Rogers", held December 9 at the Academy.
"We are delighted that we are able to preserve Fred Rogers' memory with this scholarship," said Academy Chairman Askin, who made the announcement. "Not only did his work demonstrate love, caring and respect for children, he also encouraged television professionals to use the medium to enlighten, educate and influence social consciousness and understanding."
The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship was created to further the values and principles of Fred Rogers' work.It will support and encourage an undergraduate - or graduate student - studying children's media and childhood education, or a recent college graduate pursuing a career in children's media.
Candidates must have studied early childhood education, child development/child psychology, film/television production or some combination of these fields. In addition to the cash stipend, the recipient will receive mentoring support from members of the Academy's Children's Programming Peer Group who will work with the recipient during the course of the year.Additional information and applications will be posted on the Academy's website in early 2004; the first scholarship will be awarded in fall 2004.
Hosted by David Hartman, "A Tribute to Fred Rogers" featured moving anecdotes and reminiscences from Lily Tomlin, LeVar Burton, Jane Kaczmarek, Bradley Whitford, Beth Sullivan, Rogers' colleagues David Newell and Bill Isler, ABC/Disney Cable President Anne Sweeney and Mediascope President Donna Mitroff. Highlights of the evening included a special musical segment featuring the music and lyrics of Fred Rogers performed by Tyne Daly, Scott Bakula, Jean Louisa Kelly, and John Schneider with Karousel Kids, Inc, accompanied by arranger, Stan Beard. In addition, there were pre-taped video tributes from First Lady Laura Bush, Katie Couric, Linda Ellerbee, Elmo and Kevin Clash, PBS President Pat Mitchell and Charles Osgood."A Tribute to Fred Rogers" was conceived and written by Arthur Greenwald, who first wrote for Mister Rogers while still in college.Producers for the tribute were Cliff Dektar, Donna Mitroff, Nancy Steingard and Arthur Greenwald.