Biola University Journalism senior Jessica Oh was awarded the Ruth Ashton Taylor Academic Scholarship, sponsored by the Good News Foundation, on Oct. 7, 2009. The foundation, located in Los Angeles, focuses on providing scholarships and mentoring programs to students interested in journalism and participates in community service projects.

Oh was notified by Emmy award winning news anchor Pat Harvey, CBS2, that she won the scholarship.

“When Pat Harvey called to let me know I was the recipient of the scholarship, the only thing I remember saying was, ‘thank you,’ and I must have repeated it 10 times,” Oh said. “I was in a semi-shock that I had talked to a journalist I admired and watched since I was a little girl.”

The scholarship’s namesake, Ruth Ashton Taylor, is a pioneer in broadcast journalism. She was the first woman on the west coast to be on air for a news station according to the foundation website.

Oh works for Eaglevision news on campus and aspires to work for a network news station. She would like to eventually work for a television news magazine like 60 Minutes or Dateline NBC.

As part of the scholarship Oh will get the opportunity to be mentored by a woman currently working in broadcast journalism. Oh’s mentor will be Suzie Suh, a reporter for CBS2/KCAL9.

“She (Suh) is so fun and encouraging,” Oh said. “I get to ask her question after question and she has been so great about helping me apply for jobs and touch up my demo reel.”

Oh said that she has already had many opportunities through the Good News Foundation.

“I could not have imagined all the blessings that would come from the scholarship,” Oh said. “They introduced me to so many TV journalists in Los Angeles and hearing the encouragement and advice of established, professional journalists is an answer to prayer – it’s so cool to see God opening doors for me in this industry.”

Written by Katherine Smith, Media Relations Intern. Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, can be reached at (562) 777-4061