Ackerman-Nicholson Fund

The Ackerman-Nicholson Fund assists Earlham College graduates who desire and merit advanced study in journalism or public affairs.

This award was established by a bequest from Carl W. Ackerman, class of 1911. Carl Ackerman, a charter member of the Earlham Press Club, served as a war correspondent during World War I and was dean of Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Ralph W. Nicholson class of 1920, also a member of the Earlham Press Club, served as Alumni Trustee 1948-1951, and was owner and publisher of the New Orleans Item.

The Ackerman-Nicholson Fund Committee administers this award, available only to Earlham graduates.

Who May Apply

Seniors and graduates of Earlham College who desire and merit advanced study in journalism or public affairs. Public affairs, for the purpose of the Ackerman-Nicholson award, is defined as work in the public sphere to develop and influence public policy, including government relations, information and communications, public administration, and issue management. Degrees that might be sought include public policy, public administration, public health, international relations, political science, economics, urban planning, or law. Subfields of study may include non-profit management, public finance and budgeting, city management and urban policy, information and technology management, and policy management.

Eligibility Limitations

Seriousness of purpose, qualifications, academic record and recommendations. Any Earlham College senior or graduate of the last seven years is eligible.

Award Description and Duration

The award typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000. Funds are to be used within two years for graduate study tuition, fees and books.

Applications are due March 8, 2024.

Apply here

Notification

Awardees will be notified in April, shortly before Earlham’s annual Awards Convocation.

On-Campus Contact

Mila P. Cooper, Executive Director of Career Education

Recipients:

  • 2023 Maya Claggett ‘22, Eva Lyon ‘23, Idai Makoni ’21, Melissa Velasquez ‘22, Grace Wiley ‘21
  • 2022 Olivia Daigle ’19, Edita Danielyan ’20, Victoria Maras ’20, and Maleeeka Shrestha ’19
  • 2021 Yazid Barhoush ’21, Srija Banerjee ’20, Dennis Vera ’19, Ruthvin Gardiner ’21, Olivia Tienin ’21, Hashem Abushama ’17
  • 2020 Xhilda Prifti ’19, Cianna Morales ’18, Hanh Le ’20, Grace Mulamba ’20, Megan Bennett ’20
  • 2019 Esther Abodunrin ’17, Nhi Dinh ’16, Elsa Haag ’14
  • 2018 Elsa Haag ’14, Grace Makhoul ’18, Johnnie Fitzpatrick ’16, Sunghee Tark ’16, Tyrian Robertson ’17
  • 2017 Eli Richman ’14, Gerylaine Campos ’16, David Schutt ’14, Soe Yu Naing ’16
  • 2016 Chanese Hamilton ’16, Qianyi Luo ’15
  • 2015 Jihan Abdalla ’08, Gerald Sowah ’14, Rosalyn Endlich ’12, Bunyodjon Tusmatov ’13
  • 2014 Yasas Wickramasinghe ’14, Silviano Valdez ’14, Nicole Vargas ’13
  • 2013 Charlotte-Anne Malischewski ’11, Shanoz Aqnazarbekova ’12, Liyuan Wang ’12
  • 2012 Pablo Hernandez-Romero ’12, Amanda Penrod ’09, Nyantara Wickramasekera ’11, Anna McCormally ’12
  • 2011 Maria Alex Vaikath ’11, Chelsea Smith ’11, Jesus Jimenez ’11
  • 2010 Nadira Khudayberdieva ’10
  • 2008 Christopher Richmond ’08
  • 2007 Katie Carter ’07
  • 2005 Brian Bennett ’05
  • 2003 Ranjit Jose ’03
  • 2002 Sarah Hampton ’02, Shuruq Harb ’02, Liv Leader ’02