The College of Journalism and Mass Communications scholarship donors and the students they support were recognized at the third annual Scholarship Recognition Brunch in the Centennial Room at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s City Campus Union on Oct. 12, 2024.
During the brunch, scholarship recipients were recognized and received a certificate noting their achievements. Donors were also honored and had the opportunity to meet the recipients of their scholarships.
This year’s donor speaker was Larry Lutz, who grew up in Lincoln and attended Lincoln Northeast High School before enrolling in the School of Journalism at the University of Nebraska.
He and his late wife, Sandra Mohr, founded the Sandy & Larry Lutz Reporting Scholarship in 2009. Larry first met Sandy in the J-School newsroom. They graduated from the college in 1977, married in 1979 then began their successful careers at newspapers and magazines in Kansas City, Memphis, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
The Sandy & Larry Lutz Reporting Scholarship supports students who have a passion for reporting and a foundation of good journalism. The scholarship also celebrates Sandy’s legacy and Larry’s passion for higher education.
Larry retired as a managing editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 2009, the same year he and Sandy established the scholarship and since its establishment, the scholarship has been awarded to over 20 students.
During the Scholarship Brunch, he spoke about the importance of giving to ensure students have access to a quality education that includes top-notch facilities, equipment and even furniture.
Rayna Pytlik, a Sandy and Larry Lutz Reporting Scholarship recipient, spoke next. Rayna is an advertising and public relations, and journalism double major from Lincoln.
Dean Veil closed the brunch, thanking students and donors for attending and reaffirming the importance of giving to ensure every student who wants a college education has the opportunity to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“To our students, we look forward to seeing you continue to grow and become future journalism and mass communications leaders,” Veil said. “To our donors, thank you for supporting our students and our college. Your support is vital, and we thank you for your generosity.”
Watch a livestream of the 2024 Scholarship Recognition Brunch below: https://www.youtube.com/live/Qm1iV9HFRBU?si=jvZ_xZS97W7mqW2v
For information on giving to the college, contact Director of Development Jeremy Lohrman at jeremy.lohrman@nufoundation.org or 402-458-1177.
