Scholarships
Honoring the past and supporting the future.
Since 2012, the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania has awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships in the name of Bob Fryer, a leader of Pittsburgh news who mentored many of our region’s top journalists.
“His approach to producing journalism to hold the powerful accountable remains relevant today, as media outlets big and small shutter or slash staffs,” wrote Press Club board member Kim Palmiero.
Each year, the scholarship awards $5,000 to an aspiring journalist. The scholarship fund is supported by the Fryer family and the annual Bob Fryer Memorial Golf Outing.
The 14th Annual Bob Fryer Memorial Golf Outing will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025 at River Forest Country Club in Freeport.
For sponsorship opportunities and registration details, call 724-448-1578 or email mfryer@akvalleyfoxpizza.com
“I see a future…”
Gavin Petrone (left), a student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, won the 2025 Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship. Petrone, of New Castle, is majoring in digital journalism and political science.
“I see a future in journalism devoted to local reporting,” Petrone told those attending the Golden Quills dinner at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. “I see a future in journalism that provides a full picture of all stories, no matter how complicated or controversial. I see a future in journalism where editorial boards do not bend their knee to ultra wealthy funders.”
Naomi Girson at the 2025 Golden Quill Awards. (Photos by Caleb McCartney)
Press Club scholarship
The Press Club scholarship was created in 2016 to encourage outstanding undergraduate journalism students in print, broadcasting and multimedia.
The $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an aspiring journalist whose primary residence is one of the 29 counties in Western Pennsylvania.
Naomi Girson (left), a junior at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, received the 2025 Press Club scholarship. Girson is pursuing a double major in multiplatform journalism and history.
Application information for the 2026 scholarship will be announced in the fall.
Check back for information for the 2026 scholarships this fall.
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Check back for information for the 2026 scholarships this fall. 📰
Rules & guidelines
Each year, the Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship awards $5,000 and The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship awards $2,500 to two aspiring journalists.
Candidates must be current sophomores or juniors enrolled in an accredited college or university. Seniors who have a semester left to complete their degrees and will return to their college or university in the fall can also apply. They must be able to demonstrate why they should receive the award. Their primary residence must be in one of the 29 counties of Western Pennsylvania (see list below*).
The scholarship money will be credited to the winners' accounts at their university or college. The winners also will receive a plaque in recognition of the award at the annual Golden Quill Awards on May 28, 2025, at Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
*Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria , Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland.