Parsons named first Krane Scholar

Junior Sam Parsons was named the first recipient of the Krane Scholars Award, an award recognizing an outstanding student in the School of Informatics and Computing or the School of Journalism.

The award was open to all full-time students in the School of Informatics and Computing this year and will be open to journalism majors next year, Parsons said. Parsons is an informatics major with minors in business and entrepreneurship.

“I was stoked,” he said. “I was really honored. I’m grateful to be the first Krane award winner.”

David Krane, School of Journalism alumnus and School of Informatics and Computing Dean’s Advisory Council member, who gave the University an endowment of $25,000, established the award.

“It is really neat that he is willing to give back to the community that got him started,” Parsons said. “It is an inspiring thing. It is really selfless and admiring act, so thumbs up to David Krane.”

Students had to propose a project that combines journalism, media or information technology that the award money will be used toward, Parsons said. He is planning to use the $500 award toward CLICK magazine, a publication that is staffed by IU informatics students and has articles on many informatics students' experiences, as well as faculty research and career opportunities.

“I hope CLICK magazine progresses and does all that we can do,” he said. “His donation will help us reach that goal.”