Overview
The $6,000 Stoody-West Fellowships in religious journalism are offered in recognition of the work and lives of Dr. Ralph Stoody and Dr. Arthur West, who were leaders in public relations and information services in The United Methodist Church.
The grant will assist one United Methodist student in their post-graduate study at an accredited U.S. college or university who intends on pursuing a career in religious journalism.
The purpose of the fellowship is to enhance the recipient's professional competence and thereby help to perpetuate the standards exemplified by Ralph Stoody and Arthur West. Religious journalism is interpreted to include news writing for the secular press, church press and for church institutions. The committee will consider appropriate news and journalism forms, including electronic and broadcast media, as well as print.
Criteria for Selection
Applicants must be a United Methodist who intends to pursue a career in religion journalism and is enrolled in post-graduate study at a school in the United States. (The term "religion journalism" includes news writing for secular and church media and for church institutions. The committee will consider appropriate news and journalism forms, including electronic and broadcast media, as well as print.)
Applicants are judged on five criteria:
- Christian commitment and involvement in the life of the United Methodist Church
- Academic achievement as revealed by transcripts, grade point averages and the required letters of reference
- Journalistic experience and/or evidence of journalistic talent
- Clarity of purpose in plans and goals for the future
- Potential professional ability as a religion journalist
How to apply
Send all materials to:
Stoody-West Fellowship Committee
United Methodist Communications
Relationship Team
P.O. Box 320
Nashville, TN 37202-320
OR
Stoody-West Fellowship Committee
United Methodist Communications
Relationship Team
810 12th Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37203-4744
Applications are due by March 15 each calendar year.
About Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Stoody and Rev. Dr. Arthur West
The Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Stoody was the first general secretary of the Commission on Public Relations and Methodist Information of The Methodist Church. Dr. Stoody served in that position from 1940-64. Educated at Ohio Wesleyan, Columbia and Harvard Universities, Boston University School of Theology and what is now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, he was a pastor, journalist, war correspondent, author, speaker, and magician. Dr. Stoody died in 1979.
The Rev. Dr. Arthur West was a pastor, author, communicator and pioneer in religion journalism. He served 27 years in communications within The United Methodist Church. His last appointment before retirement in 1975 was as head of the Division of Public Media with United Methodist Communications. Dr. West was educated at Missouri Wesleyan College and Baker University. He holds degrees from Boston University School of Theology and studied journalism at Northwestern University. He served terms as religion editor of the Providence (R.I.) Journal and Bulletin and the Bangor (ME) Daily News. He currently resides in Lebanon, Ohio, with his spouse, Vera.