The Jan Gardner Memorial Scholarship recognizes academically talented students in advertising-related disciplines, helping them complete their undergraduate education. Reflective of the competitive world of business, the Jan Gardner Memorial Scholarship will be awarded on a competitive basis, rather than solely by recommendation.
The contributions of Jan Gardner to advertising, District 7 and her home club, the Memphis Advertising Federation, are plentiful. Jan was founder and President of a full-service agency for over 25 years, establishing many “firsts” in the industry as well as within District 7.
Jan’s enthusiasm and dedication to high standards in educating our future advertising leaders resulted in the establishment of this scholarship following her untimely death in August 1989.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The professional advertising clubs of the District 7 of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) in 1989 established this scholarship in honor of District 7 Governor Jan Gardner of Memphis. This scholarship program is awarded annually to deserving students of advertising and its related fields. Students from the any District 7 College Chapters in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee are eligible.
Criteria for the recipients include peer recommendations, writing ability and dedication to the advertising industry. A selection committee composed of former Governors and other District representatives interviews each applicant, and the scholarship is awarded during the Annual Spring Convention.
AMOUNT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP:
$1000 for first-place recipient.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must:
• be in Junior year at the time the scholarship competition is entered.
• have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4-point scale)
• be studying an advertising-related discipline: advertising, mass comm, art/design, photography, marketing or journalism.
• have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.
• be enrolled at an institution sponsoring a recognized AAF student chapter.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINALISTS:
Announcement of scholarship finalists is scheduled for late March. Finalists will be notified directly and may be asked to interview with the Scholarship Committee of former District 7 Governors and other District representatives.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECIPIENT:
Winner will be announced and the scholarship awarded on the morning of April 20, 2013, in Jackson, Miss. Presentation is made in front of professional members in attendance at the Spring Convention.
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
• A letter of recommendation from a supervising academic official in the applicant’s major field.
• A typed essay of no more than 500 words on one of the following topics:
-Advertising should be considered part of our First Amendment rights because…
-Do you think it is permissible to ‘bend the rules’ regarding Truth in Advertising, and if so, why?
-My personality and goals are suited to advertising because…
-For students in art, graphic design, photography, etc.: My specialty is important to advertising because…
Download Application:
2013 Jan Gardner Memorial SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
IMPORTANT:
To be considered, recommendations and their accompanying essays must be RECEIVED by March 15, 2013, at the following address:
Nancy Haragan
AAF-District 7 Jan Gardner Scholarship
7090 Pale Dawn Place SE
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
P: 256.651.0396
Email: nharagan@att.net
MORE ABOUT JAN:
Jan Gardner was originally from Jackson, Tennessee, and lived in the New York area for several years where she worked in the radio industry. She also owned a full-service agency for more than 25 years before her death in 1989.
Jan was a President of Memphis Ad Fed and a Silver Medal recipient (1976). She served as District 7 Governor, 1983-84. She also served as Eastern Region Chairman for the American Advertising Federation, served on the National ADDY Advisory Committee and was responsible for the establishment of the District 7 Council of Presidents, the first group of its kind in the nation.
In her later years, Jan taught advertising/copywriting courses at the University of Memphis. She long had a love of making sure students interested in the advertising/marketing industry had an opportunity to pursue their dreams, just as she did. The National Student Advertising Competition, which had originated in District 7, expanded under her district leadership. In Memphis, she helped establish student internships and programs where companies paid for students to attend Ad Fed luncheons to learn from guest speakers.
When Jan died August 1, 1989, as a result of lung cancer, District Governor Trena Street made a recommendation that the District scholarship program (which had been established that same year) be named in honor of Jan Gardner.
Jan was a dynamite lady, one who loved the District and the advertising industry. She would burst with pride to know the scholarship program has progressed and the student competition has also grown, in addition to the Student ADDY Awards. She was a multi-talented lady who not only was a brilliant copywriter but an accomplished producer, director and had one of those wonderful silver-toned voices that made you want to listen to every word when she voiced a spot.