Scholarships Awarded to Biola University and Taylor University Students
The Evangelical Press Association believes that Christian students should be prepared to be outstanding journalists and communications professionals, equipped with a biblically-based philosophy of journalism and the skills, knowledge and experience they will need to effectively communicate a Christ-centered worldview to their audience.
Over the decades, EPA has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.
The Jerry Jenkins Scholarship was established and funded in 2015 by best-selling author and former EPA president Jerry Jenkins. The $3,000 award goes to the top winner of the scholarship contest.
The Douglas J. Trouten Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of former executive director of EPA (2002-2013), Doug Trouten, who was also a journalism professor at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Doug’s career in EPA spanned thirty years. Annual amounts vary based on donations to the scholarship fund.
This year the $3,000 Jerry Jenkins Scholarship is going to Biola University student Jason Lee.
“Jason has matured as a young journalist and is now hungry for news,” said journalism advisor Michael Longinow. “Over the last year he’s often sent me links to stories in the New York Times or Washington Post that took on issues we’ve talked about in class. He wants to continue the conversations about concepts of journalism. And I sense he’s learning the connections between well-written journalistic narratives and the best podcast scripts.”
The Douglas J. Trouten Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, is being awarded to Anna Mitchell from Taylor University.
“(Anna) has done excellent work in several of my journalism classes and in various roles she has served and continues to serve on the student newspaper, The Echo, currently as editor of our Feature section,” said journalism advisor Alan Blanchard. “I have been impressed with Anna’s growth as a student, student journalist and as someone who is respected by her fellow students and faculty alike.”
The 2026 scholarship committee was made up of Katherine Chute, Marquita Smith, Lisa Crayton and Marshall Shelley.
EPA is always seeking donations to the scholarship fund. We would like to award higher dollar amounts in future years. To support the scholarship program, make your donation here.
Learn more at evangelicalpress.com/scholarships.
Posted May 19, 2026
