" REBear writes:
Is this a charity? Sorry i have no clue. My workplace does gift matching for charities.
REBear | 12.18.08 - 6:51 pm | # "
It's a donation to a nonprofit foundation supporting the university, so yes -- unless your company specifically limits the types of organizations it will contribute to.
But I think it'll work. My university gets corporate matching gifts all the time.
REbear - quite likely this would qualify for a matching gift from your company. Each company has its own guidelines, but Universities usually qualify. Enter the information - the worst that can happen is your HR people deny it.
Endrowments are non-profit giving. You get a letter thanking you blah blah blah no goods and services were exchanged and you can use it as a credit on your tax return.
I began setting up one for myself that goes into effect after I pass away. They are very easy to do.
These Pie in the Sky scholarships have got to stop! I've already decided that if/when I get enough money I am going to establish an underachievers' scholarship fund that will have these requirements:
A. Accepted for enrollment or enrolled in good standing at [University].
B. Demonstrated academic underachievement, as evidenced by accumulative GPA between 2.75 and 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
C. Have a declared major in Business
D. Is trying to avoid student loans, but doesn't have the academics to earn a "good" scholarship
E. Little/No volunteer or extracurricular activities (some kudos for working holiday retail)
F. Used for educational expenses.
G. Sample of writing using proper spacing and font size. No word can be spelled incorrectly, but unorthodox grammar usage is accepted.
H. Essay explaining why the applicant is a more deserving underachiever than the other underachievers
I. Must be a university transfer student with at least 16 credits that cannot be applied to [University's] undergraduate program.
I needed this scholarship while I was in undergrad, and I want to make sure that the students of the future will have the opportunity I didn't have.
Hey anonymous I'm with you...I know where you are coming from and I can see every reason to support some of the middle-of-the-road students as well as the best and brightest. That part about the transfer student with 16 hours of non-transferable credits hits home. I'd like to see everyone with the ability to get into college and the willingness to work like a dog get some credit and some support - regardless of whether they are the next Stephen Hawkings.
thanks bacon for establishing this...I will send a check....
I will be including the statement re Tanta in my Xmas letter to family and friends...I think this will help them understand why I admired, enjoyed and miss someone I never met....
CR, I hope you have plans for a textbook and that the Illinois State Journalism and Business department work together to set up a class which will use Tanta's writings and her responses to the posts as a basis for criticdal thinking......
I am rereading her posts as time permits and realize it is very much a current history of the Mortgage Mess....normally, we would wait 2-3 years for this much information to be available in one place and, at the same time to be written so G__ D___ well......
unsetbeachguy writes: You have to really try hard to get a C. \t sunsetbeachguy | \t \t \t \t12.18.08 - 7:15 pm
What part of "underachieving" do you not understand? Also, there are state schools (like my alma mater) that don't do grade inflation. They actually fail people who don't do the work. Tough life, I know, but when you aren't trying to rat race to the front, why not get a little help along the way? Besides, it appears that the logic has always been that it is the good "C" students that do well compared to their academic triathelete peers. e.g. Law School, Business School
Not everyone can be the brains of the world but they are still quite helpful if not outright useful.
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors. Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
While I can't imagine what pressure it would be to receive this award, to try to live up to tanta's standards, count me in. My Ivy League school keeps asking me for money but they get none as they don't turn out people like tanta(I"m thinking of the post where she bought the lime green mini skirt and boots to protest the dress code - that is not what they teach in the ivy leagues)
And after all this we find Tanta was a guitar playing rocker as well? We all need to step it up a notch or three to try to catch up.
"Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
Anonymous"
I know. And I keep telling people how I am a great doctor even though I didn't go to medical school. Maybe if they read Tanta's stuff and realized how great of a journalist she was without the degree, they would start believing me.
To all the nitpickers and naysayers on the selection criteria:
Part of what made Tanta brilliant was the fact that she never set out to achieve all that we are now applauding. Think about it -- she even disguised her writing under a nom de plume because she feared that her candid commentary might interfere with her future job prospects. (Never mind that, if anything, the quality and acuity of her writing would have catapulted her resume to the top of any number of exclusive in-boxes...) This scholarship acknowledges, in part, that there are any number of students who have yet to realize their full potential, and that setting the bar too high at the beginning runs the risk of silencing promising voices that grow invaluable by the end.
"sunsetbeachguy writes:
Anonymous it isn't hard at a state school to maintain a 3.0 or better.
I am in a state school MBA and the grading policy is everyone above the median gets an A and everyone below gets a B."
Yes, grades at business schools are generally a joke. I think all should switch to the bell curve. Separates the good test takers from the bad, and sometimes the smart and motivated from the smart and lazy.
She was a truly special person. This is a fitting tribute. I would also like to see English and or Journalism majors at Illinois assigned to study here ubernerd blog posts.
OT: LA Times - California lawmakers pass $18-billion plan to ease fiscal crisis
Republicans say they will file suit, saying the plan by Democrats violates the two-thirds rule for tax hikes. The governor has not decided whether to sign it. Governor spurns new budget deal - Los Angeles Times
"...The proposal would raise $9.3 billion by increasing sales taxes three-fourths of a cent. It would add a surcharge of 2.5% to everyone's 2009 state income tax bill. It would also require businesses to withhold taxes on payments above $600 made to independent contractors, as they are now required to do with salaried employees.
In addition, it would cut $7.3 billion from schools, healthcare and other programs. Their package would nearly halve the state's budget shortfall, projected to reach $41.8 billion in the next 18 months..."
Grades are a poor way of weighing genius. Find that person that has prospects and is brilliant regardless of grades. Einstein was a poor student, never was expected to amount for much, but became an Earth shattering figure.
OK, I realized it's already morning so I went ahead and made a donation.
I wish they took AmEx though, I can't wait to see what BAC charges me for minimum finance charges although I'm planning on prepaying it before the charge hits my card. : )
Splendid job Mr. dreamz.
I liked
Anonymous | 12.18.08 - 7:22 pm
or, at the very least,
sdtfs | 12.18.08 - 11:07 pm
Worst case, its less what Tanta might've wanted than what we now want, having been exposed to what she offered the world.
"H. Essay explaining why the applicant is interested in pursuing a career in journalism"
As someone who works for a company that owns many news magazines I can't help but have a dark chuckle at that. We're essentially asking for the naive or the masochistic.
Still it's a wonderful idea given Tanta's talent in the field. I'll give as much as I can.
Anonymous writes:
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors. Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
Journalism majors are the one's who need Tanta's help.
Maybe degrees in English Literature and Philosophy should be requirements for entrance into a Journalism program. If journalism graduates had that background they would not be known as Jourmalists.
On reading the comments a thought struck.
How about a CR Bacon Dreamz sponsored contest somewhat similar to the Bulwer-Lytton writing contest?
Maybe the Tanta Economic Snark Writing Contest?
We can' have Tanta anymore but we could encourage people to provide us with the best simulation of her thinking and prose great brains can provide.
Every now and again someone quite remarkable is parachuted into our lives ... and it catches us completely off guard in an extraordinarily pleasant way.
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors.
At this point, if I have to sacrifice the prose of Tanta in order to be rid of Gretchen's journalism, I'll gladly make the sacrifice.
Good idea, bacon dreamz. With a nephew recently graduating from ISU and now working part-time at a newspaper, my enthusiastic donation has been made.
Donated. Great idea all. Would love a follow up post in a month or two saying how large the endowment has grown, and of course that's another chance to let people know about it two.
Bacon and Kate will be reviewing the submitted work for "snarkiness", I'm sure.
Our family is very proud of the work Bacon did for us (and you - by request) on this. We may have to smooth some ruffled feathers on the English side - you know how they lord over the Communications majors.
Tanta was a very diligent student - I think the only B she ever received was in German. And she was a financial needs student who worked on campus while volunteering. So I think the grade requirement is appropriate.
Thanks again to CR and Bacon and all of you - I wish every family could get to know a group like you when they are going through a terrible time such as this.
1) Sorry, but definitely disagree re a "journalism major or any comms. major scholarship! Way off the mark with those majors!(and bet she would have backed me up) Also, not to some young beginner college student.
Give something to someone at least 35 who earned an opportunity and learned moreover from the school of life's realities.
2) You missed the point!
She was smart due to the range of
subjects, "thinking" abilities, which transferred over. She was a superior "writer" as a result. (could see books if she had remained on this earth longer.)
3) Had been thinking along the same lines, but more for a super blog writer type award recognition who could branch out some for added influence to some C-span appearances etc. across the country while still writing for a blog as a valued endeavor. Sorry, but disagree re a journalism major or any comms. major!
I think the journalism major stipulation should be withdrawn. Majoring in journalism is akin to a communication major. All fluff and no substance. In order to write one should be a economics major, a history major, a political science major, an English Literature major...etc. NO journalism majors, please. That is the problem with journalism. They don't know squat about a subject. Learn a subject matter and then write about it.
In addition to CDS's comments above, I would like to add that I think it's appropriate that the scholarship will be given to a journalism major, even though Tanta wasn't one. Much of her work on the blog for the last two years was, in fact, journalistic in nature, and she was often such a harsh (and funny) critic precisely because she thought journalism was so important.
I know that a lot of people enjoyed the fact that her writing was so literary, but I don't think that means the scholarship should go to someone pursuing the same type of degree she did. One of the writers Tanta admired most--the late Molly Ivins--was herself a journalism major. The reason that a writing sample and essay are required is because writing ability is going to be a big part of the selection process.
I have to disagree with Bacon dreamz, but Molly graduated from Smith College with a degree in History, she then attended Columbia University in the School of Journalism and received a Masters Degree and she then studied Political Science in Paris. That is a far cry from just getting a journalism degree. She knew a subject and then she studied journalism and then furthered her History degree by studying political science in Paris.
bacon dreamz writes:
Thanks so much to everyone for their donations.
bacon dreamz | 12.21.08 - 5:09 pm |
Although it can't mean much to you, I want to thank you again for establishing this scholarship in Tanta's memory.
I apologize for any negativity I may have introduced via my credit card carping.
I defer all judgment on the appropriateness of the scholarship to those who knew Tanta best. I fully support Bacon, CR, CDS, and the rest of Tanta's family to know Tanta's wishes better than we could ever know.
It cannot be a bad thing to hope that journalists come out of school with a better understanding of the world and it seems to me that this scholarship tries to achieve that end. From CDS's earlier post, helping young students continue their education can only be seen in a positive light.
If you don't agree with her loved ones decision, don't contribute. If you don't agree with their decision start your own scholarship fund in the discipline you feel would most honor Tanta. Post your fund information here and I will most likely contribute to that one too.
May Tanta's family find peace and comfort throughout the Holidays and in the future.
I meant to include this in my earlier post. I don't rememeber who suggested this, but I would like to second the thought that it would be nice to see a periodic reminder to donate.
It's unfortunate, but life sometimes gets in the way of remembering to do the right thing.
I'd like to echo AnonyMiss's comments about a periodic reminder. I can't completely afford giving everything I'd like to give right now, but I can contribute a little every once in a while.
Thanks to all of you for donating or making plans to do such and of course your kind words regarding Tanta.
On the topic of the scholarship - I believe that Bacon and Tanta were very close and she would be pleased with his decision. Sure, at first she'd roll her eyes and snort and all but in the end she'd just smile and nod, I'm certain.
As for me - all I know is my sister never tried to talk my daughter into a more noble pursuit than journalism. That's enough for me.
bacon...I'm stumped for words. A generous devotion. My hat tips to you.
I miss the bd / Tanta exchanges. Really miss them.
CR please remind us on some annual giving....I was away for a few weeks and now things are finished for 2008. Let me see about about bending the rules to help this.
AnonyMiss and others who donated to the various charities we've heard from so far - my Mom and I found the time to write and send a picture because you found the time to be generous.
I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere and I have to ask - was she married or have children?
Godspeed Tanta and what a wonderful thing you are doing beacon!
Marlin. Dory.
you're a good man CR - I'll get a check off
Oh my gosh I'm going to cry. With my condolences to Tanta's family, I sure hope they comprehend how truly remarkable their loved one was.
Tanta is helping us build something better for the future even now.
Is this a charity? Sorry i have no clue. My workplace does gift matching for charities.
" REBear writes:
Is this a charity? Sorry i have no clue. My workplace does gift matching for charities.
REBear | 12.18.08 - 6:51 pm | # "
It's a donation to a nonprofit foundation supporting the university, so yes -- unless your company specifically limits the types of organizations it will contribute to.
But I think it'll work. My university gets corporate matching gifts all the time.
Is this a charity? Sorry i have no clue. My workplace does gift matching for charities.
Yes, if you click the link in the post there's a button you can click on the ISU website to have your employer match your gift.
REbear - quite likely this would qualify for a matching gift from your company. Each company has its own guidelines, but Universities usually qualify. Enter the information - the worst that can happen is your HR people deny it.
Thanks bacon and Bob
Bacon - my gift is there. Thanks for giving us the opportunity.
thanks trail.
Endrowments are non-profit giving. You get a letter thanking you blah blah blah no goods and services were exchanged and you can use it as a credit on your tax return.
I began setting up one for myself that goes into effect after I pass away. They are very easy to do.
I applaud you bacon dreamz (and CR). I will be sending in a year end donation. Tanta_Vive!
LOL endrowments may be my best typo of the year. Should have been endowments
I'm in. Now let's hope ISU doesn't have to much of their endowment in MBS.
These Pie in the Sky scholarships have got to stop! I've already decided that if/when I get enough money I am going to establish an underachievers' scholarship fund that will have these requirements:
I needed this scholarship while I was in undergrad, and I want to make sure that the students of the future will have the opportunity I didn't have.
Hey anonymous I'm with you...I know where you are coming from and I can see every reason to support some of the middle-of-the-road students as well as the best and brightest. That part about the transfer student with 16 hours of non-transferable credits hits home. I'd like to see everyone with the ability to get into college and the willingness to work like a dog get some credit and some support - regardless of whether they are the next Stephen Hawkings.
The word "Bacherlor" is misspelled.
Good work bacon. You've been missed.
thanks bacon for establishing this...I will send a check....
I will be including the statement re Tanta in my Xmas letter to family and friends...I think this will help them understand why I admired, enjoyed and miss someone I never met....
CR, I hope you have plans for a textbook and that the Illinois State Journalism and Business department work together to set up a class which will use Tanta's writings and her responses to the posts as a basis for criticdal thinking......
I am rereading her posts as time permits and realize it is very much a current history of the Mortgage Mess....normally, we would wait 2-3 years for this much information to be available in one place and, at the same time to be written so G__ D___ well......
Brilliant!
Anonymous it isn't hard at a state school to maintain a 3.0 or better.
I am in a state school MBA and the grading policy is everyone above the median gets an A and everyone below gets a B.
You have to really try hard to get a C.
Done. $200 for a good cause.
unsetbeachguy writes:
You have to really try hard to get a C.
\t sunsetbeachguy | \t \t \t \t12.18.08 - 7:15 pm
What part of "underachieving" do you not understand? Also, there are state schools (like my alma mater) that don't do grade inflation. They actually fail people who don't do the work. Tough life, I know, but when you aren't trying to rat race to the front, why not get a little help along the way? Besides, it appears that the logic has always been that it is the good "C" students that do well compared to their academic triathelete peers. e.g. Law School, Business School
Not everyone can be the brains of the world but they are still quite helpful if not outright useful.
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors. Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
While I can't imagine what pressure it would be to receive this award, to try to live up to tanta's standards, count me in. My Ivy League school keeps asking me for money but they get none as they don't turn out people like tanta(I"m thinking of the post where she bought the lime green mini skirt and boots to protest the dress code - that is not what they teach in the ivy leagues)
And after all this we find Tanta was a guitar playing rocker as well? We all need to step it up a notch or three to try to catch up.
sunsetbeachguy:
are you working 60+ hours a week?
at times I thank God I got a "B"
"Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
Anonymous"
I know. And I keep telling people how I am a great doctor even though I didn't go to medical school. Maybe if they read Tanta's stuff and realized how great of a journalist she was without the degree, they would start believing me.
Very cool. Thank you bacon dreamz and CR.
Tanta Vive!
sunsetbeachguy - I'd say enjoy your lax grading policies, learn all you can, and don't go to Cornell for Engineering.
I'm in for a c-note. It's the giving season.
To all the nitpickers and naysayers on the selection criteria:
Part of what made Tanta brilliant was the fact that she never set out to achieve all that we are now applauding. Think about it -- she even disguised her writing under a nom de plume because she feared that her candid commentary might interfere with her future job prospects. (Never mind that, if anything, the quality and acuity of her writing would have catapulted her resume to the top of any number of exclusive in-boxes...) This scholarship acknowledges, in part, that there are any number of students who have yet to realize their full potential, and that setting the bar too high at the beginning runs the risk of silencing promising voices that grow invaluable by the end.
"sunsetbeachguy writes:
Anonymous it isn't hard at a state school to maintain a 3.0 or better.
I am in a state school MBA and the grading policy is everyone above the median gets an A and everyone below gets a B."
Yes, grades at business schools are generally a joke. I think all should switch to the bell curve. Separates the good test takers from the bad, and sometimes the smart and motivated from the smart and lazy.
thats for her :
The Top Layer of the Cake by Gary North
its leagacy.. hers is huge.. R.I.P. with all love...
D strikes a cord with me. Without that, this poor person would never have attained college. Money will be sent.
Is there a link I can click to donate? If so email it to me.
It's on the post
Sunsetbeachguy:
I went to a state school (in Illinois) for my engineering degree. The attrition rate in my program was 80% through three years.
Thank you Dreamz,this is appropriate.I learned a great deal from your back and forth with Tanta.Crying again.
She was a truly special person. This is a fitting tribute. I would also like to see English and or Journalism majors at Illinois assigned to study here ubernerd blog posts.
sorry, typo. her blog posts
OT: LA Times - California lawmakers pass $18-billion plan to ease fiscal crisis
Republicans say they will file suit, saying the plan by Democrats violates the two-thirds rule for tax hikes. The governor has not decided whether to sign it.
Governor spurns new budget deal - Los Angeles Times
"...The proposal would raise $9.3 billion by increasing sales taxes three-fourths of a cent. It would add a surcharge of 2.5% to everyone's 2009 state income tax bill. It would also require businesses to withhold taxes on payments above $600 made to independent contractors, as they are now required to do with salaried employees.
In addition, it would cut $7.3 billion from schools, healthcare and other programs. Their package would nearly halve the state's budget shortfall, projected to reach $41.8 billion in the next 18 months..."
I didn't say I liked it or it was right.
It just is what is.
I did my undergrad at a difficult, impossible to coast school.
Besides, with all the grade and degree inflation, everybody and their brother has a Masters degree.
I'm sorry Tanta, I lack your patience. I offered. I go no further.
Superb, bacon!
My state school was difficult, and if you coasted, you were dead.
I teach at a private west coast university. I have trouble identifying students that aren't coasting.
I still miss her. Thanks, bacon and CR...
ah, Tanta was a Badger. And a MA in English Lit no less. I dated one of those in Madison and they were always so smart.
Thanks, BD- I'm in.
Tanta went to UWM? Ishouldanode....
I'm in for 1k. Dear God what a loss, Tanta's writing was amazing.
CR and Bacon Dreamz:
Thank you very much.
Appropriate.
Should the recipient have a ratable sense of snark?
Wonderful. $100 on it's way.
Check for 100 written, will mail tomorrow. Wish I had more.
Thanks to CR and bacon_dreamz for the opportunity to put my money where my mouth has been for too many years.
Tanta_Vive
I'm writing Hank. If this isn't worth a bit of TARP then I don't know WTF is.
Thanks bacon_dreamz it's a nice touch. Even my alligator arms made it to my wallet for this.
I can't afford a check for shirt but for this the check is on the way. I don't do cards.
jo6pac
Great!
she was lovely, even her youtube posts were great.
Might I suggest:
I. Have read a selection of Tanta's posts skewering journalists.
"I am in a state school MBA and the grading policy is everyone above the median gets an A and everyone below gets a B."
That explains a lot.
A little grade deflation would do the world some good.
The thought of Tanta not posting still brings tears to my eyes. What student could be qualified to fill her shoes?
Grades are a poor way of weighing genius. Find that person that has prospects and is brilliant regardless of grades. Einstein was a poor student, never was expected to amount for much, but became an Earth shattering figure.
Thank you, CR and Bacon Dreamz.
I'll be sending another donation in the morning.
My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the extended Dungey family.
OK, I realized it's already morning so I went ahead and made a donation.
I wish they took AmEx though, I can't wait to see what BAC charges me for minimum finance charges although I'm planning on prepaying it before the charge hits my card. : )
Splendid job Mr. dreamz.
I liked
Anonymous | 12.18.08 - 7:22 pm
or, at the very least,
sdtfs | 12.18.08 - 11:07 pm
Worst case, its less what Tanta might've wanted than what we now want, having been exposed to what she offered the world.
Kudos Bacon, might I suggest an addition?
I. Possess uncanny wit and wisdom for the applicant's age along with a sharp dislike for stupidity and negligence.
Dammit, I still miss her...
"H. Essay explaining why the applicant is interested in pursuing a career in journalism"
As someone who works for a company that owns many news magazines I can't help but have a dark chuckle at that. We're essentially asking for the naive or the masochistic.
Still it's a wonderful idea given Tanta's talent in the field. I'll give as much as I can.
Anonymous writes:
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors. Tanta is a role model of how one can be a great journalist without having a journalist degree.
Journalism majors are the one's who need Tanta's help.
Maybe degrees in English Literature and Philosophy should be requirements for entrance into a Journalism program. If journalism graduates had that background they would not be known as Jourmalists.
On reading the comments a thought struck.
How about a CR Bacon Dreamz sponsored contest somewhat similar to the Bulwer-Lytton writing contest?
Maybe the Tanta Economic Snark Writing Contest?
We can' have Tanta anymore but we could encourage people to provide us with the best simulation of her thinking and prose great brains can provide.
Every now and again someone quite remarkable is parachuted into our lives ... and it catches us completely off guard in an extraordinarily pleasant way.
It's been almost three weeks now right? It's really so sad. Thanks BD for setting this up.
Considering that Tanta's degrees were in English, Philosophy, and English Literature; I was surprised to see the scholarship was only for journalism majors.
At this point, if I have to sacrifice the prose of Tanta in order to be rid of Gretchen's journalism, I'll gladly make the sacrifice.
Good idea, bacon dreamz. With a nephew recently graduating from ISU and now working part-time at a newspaper, my enthusiastic donation has been made.
Donated. Great idea all. Would love a follow up post in a month or two saying how large the endowment has grown, and of course that's another chance to let people know about it two.
too!
Bacon and Kate will be reviewing the submitted work for "snarkiness", I'm sure.
Our family is very proud of the work Bacon did for us (and you - by request) on this. We may have to smooth some ruffled feathers on the English side - you know how they lord over the Communications majors.
Tanta was a very diligent student - I think the only B she ever received was in German. And she was a financial needs student who worked on campus while volunteering. So I think the grade requirement is appropriate.
Thanks again to CR and Bacon and all of you - I wish every family could get to know a group like you when they are going through a terrible time such as this.
Here's to Peace in the New Year -
Oh - and Tanta was never married and sadly did not have any children. Her cat, Annie, lives with our mom.
Here's to Peace in the New Year -
CDS | 12.20.08 - 8:04 am | #
Many prayers and good wishes are being sent your way.
1) Sorry, but definitely disagree re a "journalism major or any comms. major scholarship! Way off the mark with those majors!(and bet she would have backed me up) Also, not to some young beginner college student.
Give something to someone at least 35 who earned an opportunity and learned moreover from the school of life's realities.
2) You missed the point!
She was smart due to the range of
subjects, "thinking" abilities, which transferred over. She was a superior "writer" as a result. (could see books if she had remained on this earth longer.)
3) Had been thinking along the same lines, but more for a super blog writer type award recognition who could branch out some for added influence to some C-span appearances etc. across the country while still writing for a blog as a valued endeavor. Sorry, but disagree re a journalism major or any comms. major!
smart adviser
Alas, I am but a poor grad student.
$100 for her wisdom. $50 more because we need them now, more than ever.
CR, it'd be nice if this was a yearly reminder so we can continue to contribute.
I think the journalism major stipulation should be withdrawn. Majoring in journalism is akin to a communication major. All fluff and no substance. In order to write one should be a economics major, a history major, a political science major, an English Literature major...etc. NO journalism majors, please. That is the problem with journalism. They don't know squat about a subject. Learn a subject matter and then write about it.
In addition to CDS's comments above, I would like to add that I think it's appropriate that the scholarship will be given to a journalism major, even though Tanta wasn't one. Much of her work on the blog for the last two years was, in fact, journalistic in nature, and she was often such a harsh (and funny) critic precisely because she thought journalism was so important.
I know that a lot of people enjoyed the fact that her writing was so literary, but I don't think that means the scholarship should go to someone pursuing the same type of degree she did. One of the writers Tanta admired most--the late Molly Ivins--was herself a journalism major. The reason that a writing sample and essay are required is because writing ability is going to be a big part of the selection process.
Thanks so much to everyone for their donations.
I have to disagree with Bacon dreamz, but Molly graduated from Smith College with a degree in History, she then attended Columbia University in the School of Journalism and received a Masters Degree and she then studied Political Science in Paris. That is a far cry from just getting a journalism degree. She knew a subject and then she studied journalism and then furthered her History degree by studying political science in Paris.
bacon dreamz writes:
Thanks so much to everyone for their donations.
bacon dreamz | 12.21.08 - 5:09 pm |
Although it can't mean much to you, I want to thank you again for establishing this scholarship in Tanta's memory.
I apologize for any negativity I may have introduced via my credit card carping.
I defer all judgment on the appropriateness of the scholarship to those who knew Tanta best. I fully support Bacon, CR, CDS, and the rest of Tanta's family to know Tanta's wishes better than we could ever know.
It cannot be a bad thing to hope that journalists come out of school with a better understanding of the world and it seems to me that this scholarship tries to achieve that end. From CDS's earlier post, helping young students continue their education can only be seen in a positive light.
If you don't agree with her loved ones decision, don't contribute. If you don't agree with their decision start your own scholarship fund in the discipline you feel would most honor Tanta. Post your fund information here and I will most likely contribute to that one too.
May Tanta's family find peace and comfort throughout the Holidays and in the future.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
I meant to include this in my earlier post. I don't rememeber who suggested this, but I would like to second the thought that it would be nice to see a periodic reminder to donate.
It's unfortunate, but life sometimes gets in the way of remembering to do the right thing.
I wouldn't mind a nudge every now and again.
I'd like to echo AnonyMiss's comments about a periodic reminder. I can't completely afford giving everything I'd like to give right now, but I can contribute a little every once in a while.
Thanks to all of you for donating or making plans to do such and of course your kind words regarding Tanta.
On the topic of the scholarship - I believe that Bacon and Tanta were very close and she would be pleased with his decision. Sure, at first she'd roll her eyes and snort and all but in the end she'd just smile and nod, I'm certain.
As for me - all I know is my sister never tried to talk my daughter into a more noble pursuit than journalism. That's enough for me.
bacon...I'm stumped for words. A generous devotion. My hat tips to you.
I miss the bd / Tanta exchanges. Really miss them.
CR please remind us on some annual giving....I was away for a few weeks and now things are finished for 2008. Let me see about about bending the rules to help this.
CDS,
I don't know if you're around to read this, but I want to thank you for the thoughtful card and photo of Tanta.
I was away for the Holidays and received them when I returned home.
I don't know how you found the time, but I very much appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.
AnonyMiss and others who donated to the various charities we've heard from so far - my Mom and I found the time to write and send a picture because you found the time to be generous.
I received my Thank You card from the Dungey family today. Much appreciated.