IPF directors Dave Bell, Jon Whitney (owner/publisher, Carroll County Review, Thomson), John David Reed and Board President Jerry Reppert (owner, Reppert Publications) toast newspaper professionals at the start of the IPF Board's holiday luncheon.

Foundation Director Jeff Rogers and Board secretary Charlie Wheeler, also PAR director, introduce the scholarship recipients. “While the scholarships will be greatly appreciated by the recipients, they represent only a small part of the assistance our program has received from the state’s newspapers over the years,” said Wheeler.

IPF Director Jeff Rogers and Board President Jerry Reppert award Cassandra "Cassie" Buchman with a $1,200 scholarship. Buchman will be interning with GateHouse Media and The State Journal-Register this spring.

IPF Director Jeff Rogers and Board President Jerry Reppert award Grant Morgan with a $1,200 scholarship. Grant will be spending his PAR internship with the IPF’s new statehouse reporting bureau, Capitol News Illinois. He will be covering legislative sessions and committee hearings, while also handling various enterprise projects.

IPF Director Jeff Rogers and Board President Jerry Reppert award Lindsey Salvatelli with a $1,200 scholarship. Salvatelli will intern with the Illinois Times spring 2019.

(L-R) IPF directors Charlie Wheeler, John David Reed and Sally Renaud pose with Cassandra Buchman (center) in the IPA's lobby.

Three $1,200 scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled in the UIS Public Affairs Reporting program. The scholarships are awarded based upon work experience, academic performance, financial need and the potential for a career in journalism. The scholarships are presented in December. This year's recipients are pictured above.