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Journalism scholarship honors Gazette sportswriter McPoland

JANESVILLE — A $1,000 memorial scholarship for Janesville high school graduating athletes and/or those planning to study journalism has been established in memory of John McPoland, a Janesville Gazette sports writer who died of cancer in 2009.

The John McPoland Memorial Scholarship will be given annually to one high school senior. The money can be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment needed for courses at an accredited college or university.

Applicants should have an average grade level of C or higher—2.0 on a 4.0 scale—be enrolling as a full-time college student for the next academic year, be interested in studying journalism, including, but not limited to, writing, television and radio, and/or be an exceptional athlete in any sport.

McPoland's family and friends established the fund.

During his career, McPoland won a first-place award from the Iowa Newspaper Association and three Wisconsin Newspaper Association awards—including two for sports columnist of the year. Many readers followed a blog he wrote about his battle with cancer.

Scholarship applications are available through the guidance departments at Craig and Parker high schools. Deadline is March 1, and the recipient will be announced during the annual awards ceremony in May.

The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin manages the scholarship fund. The foundation was established in 1992 to match personal philanthropy with community need.

For more information, call 608-758-0883.