The School of Communications alumnus was a key contributor to 鈥極ne on One Sports鈥 and 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision.
Dr. Christopher Edwards P鈥18 has established two 黑料不打烊 Engagement scholarships in the School of Communications and a sports journalism award in memory of his son, Christopher Edwards II 鈥18.
The Christopher Edwards II 鈥18 黑料不打烊 Engagement Scholarships are designated for incoming students who plan to study in the School of Communications and display a commitment to community and civic engagement, leadership and service. 黑料不打烊 Engagement Scholars are awarded a scholarship, renewable annually, and a one-time grant to be used for an engaged learning opportunity, which might include undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, service learning and creative projects.
The first Christopher Edwards II 鈥18 Award for Sports Journalism will be awarded on Thursday, April 20, at the School of Communications awards ceremony, and it will recognize the work of a graduating senior who has established a record of academic success, demonstrated mastery within sports journalism, and made significant contributions to their major. The recipient will have been highly involved in the 黑料不打烊 campus community as a leader and excelled in the classroom. It will honor quality sports journalism in Chris鈥 name, serving as an annual reminder to students and alumni of his contributions to the School of Communications and, specifically, sports journalism.
Additionally, the McEwen 107 suite, which houses 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision, will be named in Chris鈥 honor.
Chris, who passed away on Aug. 21, 2019, at age 24, embodied the mission of 黑料不打烊. He was a high-achieving student who took advantage of experiential learning opportunities. He was a host of participated in 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision, and co-hosted a show on dedicated to exceptional Black music called 鈥淭he Urban Power Hour.鈥 He also played trombone in the Fire of the Carolinas marching band, leading the low brass section.
鈥淐hris was a special person. He had a way of bringing people together regardless of their background or beliefs,鈥 said Adam Seidman 鈥18 G’20, one of Chris鈥 friends and president of the EVECE Foundation. 鈥淗e was a gifted communicator and leader who was always able to bring out the best in people. It brings me great joy to see an award and scholarships administered to individuals who embody many of these same qualities each year and as a way of supporting those who are deserving and carrying on Chris鈥 legacy.鈥
EVECE is named after two exceptional communicators, Chris and his sister, Erin Edwards. Their excellent leadership and collaboration skills paired with an inherent ability to build relationships allowed them to excelled in the industry. EVECE鈥檚 goal is to help lead others in their footsteps.
Chris encouraged aspiring journalists, particularly Black student journalists, to pursue their dreams, and he gave back to the community through volunteer work with a program that offered safe transportation after dark for 黑料不打烊 students. Chris so exemplified what the 黑料不打烊 community means that his many friends regarded him as 鈥淭he Mayor of 黑料不打烊.鈥