About The Program

Purpose

The Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Program annually identifies, recognizes and

rewards one outstanding media student from each of Rochester’s area colleges, and

facilitates his/her transition from being an excellent student, to becoming an

excellent practicing professional. The program is conducted by the Rochester

Association for Film Arts and Sciences (RAFAS), a 501c3, non-profit charitable

organization.

Selection Process

Faculty at each of the ten colleges in the Rochester area are asked to nominate one

student from their campus. The nominee must be of high character, have high

academic achievement, have produced a media work that demonstrates excellence

within the support systems available on that campus, and be someone who the

faculty would be proud to see represent their college.

Nominees attend a professional portfolio review session in February. At this

session, nominees meet with each other and with practicing professionals in the

media field. There is a friendly critique of their media work, along with an

opportunity to solve common media production problems, share aspirations and

begin building their own professional support network. Each student selected will

be designated a “Tom Hope Scholar”

Each Tom Hope Scholar

• Receives a cash grant to help defray the cost of his/her education, or to fund the purchase of professional/educational software, or to support the production of a film, video, television program, radio program, podcast, or other media product produced by the Scholar.

• Is recognized with an opportunity to show his/her best media production work to media professionals, faculty, family, sponsors, friends, and guests at the annual Tom Hope Memorial Media Scholar Award Ceremony in April.

• Is encouraged to remain in the Rochester area and apply his/her expertise here when they graduate from college.

• Is provided with opportunities to develop local professional support networks and mentors in Rochester.

• Is invited to carry on the mentoring example of namesake Tom Hope who, over a span of 80 years, not only achieved professional excellence, but also mentored countless other professionals.