Skip to Top NavigationSkip to ContentSkip to Footer
Ferris State University BulldogFerris State University Logo

Torch’s Klingel Named Recipient of MPA Foundation Community Journalism Scholarship

Hailey KlingelHailey Klingel, a senior at Ferris State University and lifestyles editor of the university’s student newspaper, the Torch, was selected to receive one of the Michigan Press Association Foundation’s community journalism scholarships.

Klingel, from Paw Paw, is one of 11 students from the state of Michigan to be honored by the MPA Foundation. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to help a young journalist pay for college or related expenses on the path toward locally-based journalism careers.

Klingel has excelled in a variety of roles, at Ferris. She has served as editor for the Honors Endeavor, as a marketing intern for United Way of Central Indiana and as a news intern for WWMT-TV. Those experiences helped her stand out among other scholarship applicants.

“Hailey has a natural journalistic style,” said Steven Fox, a Ferris Journalism professor and the Torch adviser. “She has always wanted to do her best. You could say she is a perfectionist. This is a great strength of hers and helped her move up to editor at the Torch.”

The scholarship winners were honored at the annual MPA convention, Jan. 28-29, at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids. Collegiate newspapers from around the state attend the annual event, along with editors, publishers, advertising, marketing, circulation, and multimedia directors from MPA member news organizations.

“I was excited to be awarded this scholarship. I have always loved writing and I would not be where I am, today, without the help of Ferris’ academic program,” Klingel said. “From the first journalism class, Professor Fox urged me to join the Torch. Now, I have made great friends and will miss the paper when I graduate.”

Klingel is the sixth Torch staff member to win the scholarship during the last six years. Previous winners include: Ben Rettinhouse, 2015; Alex Wittman, 2014; Katelyn Crain, 2013; Angela Walukonis, 2012; and Antonio Coleman, 2011.

The Ferris State Torch