NCSF Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship Winner

This week the National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF) announced the winner of the second annual Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship given to a college student who shows real promise in the world of cartooning.

Entries came in from students all over the country, and after a tough committee process, the NCSF picked their winner. This year the winning student was Chris Houghton who is a junior at the College for Creative Studies in Michigan. Below is one example of this student’s fine work.

These kids really had a great opportunity in applying for this scholarship. They not only win a tidy sum to help with their schooling, but they also win an all expense paid trip to the National Cartoonists Society’s annual Reuben Awards to accept the prize. This year the Reubens will be in my neck of the woods when it comes to Hollywood for the Memorial Day weekend.

Also, the applicants get their work before a fine group of professionals who thoroughly discuss the entrants and their work. I know this because as a board member of the NCSF, I was one of the judges. Some others on the judging panel with me included Rick Kirkman (“Baby Blues” comic strip), Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine), Daryl Cagle (MSNBC.com politcal cartoonist), Michael Ramirez (Investor’s Business Daily political cartoonist & last year Pulitzer winner), Sandra Lundy (“Between Friends” comic strip), and other fellow freelance cartoonists John Kovaleski (who spearheaded the committee), Sean Parkes, and Ken Alvine.

The NCSF is a fully licensed non-profit organization, and can always use your tax deductible donations for things like this scholarship, helping to further other items of importance to the field of cartooning, and helping out cartoonists in need. Click HERE to visit the NCSF website!

And to see the full press release on the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship winner with even more samples of his art, please click HERE!