Hugh Sidey 2016 Scholarship Awarded to Iowa State’s Alex Hanson
Washington D.C. —
The White House Historical Association in partnership with Iowa State University's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication awarded Alex Hanson the 2016 Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism. Hanson will receive a $5,000 prize, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., this week.
The Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, was established in 2006 at Mr. Sidey’s alma mater, Iowa State University, by the White House Historical Association and Mr. David M. Rubenstein.
Hanson is a sophomore majoring in journalism, mass communication, and political science. He has led the Iowa State Daily’s political coverage as one of the student newspaper’s news editors. His role has put him in contact with a number of presidential candidates, as they began their bids for their parties’ nominations in Iowa as early as the summer of 2015. Hanson led his team of 12 ISD reporters in covering the 2016 election, as presidential hopefuls toured the state leading up it’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.
Hanson’s winning essay “The Most Important Job In This Democracy”, considered Hugh’s belief that the presidency remains the most sought-after, analyzed and scrutinized office on earth, while showing “awareness of the changing nature of news coverage.”
“We are delighted to honor Alex Hanson with the 2016 Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship,” said Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “It is wonderful to know a student of such great talent received the award and we are proud to be working with the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication as we honor the late Hugh Sidey.”
“It is truly an honor to be awarded the Hugh Sidey Scholarship this year. I'm grateful for the award given to me to help continue my education at Iowa State University,” remarked Hanson. “As someone who believes deeply in the press aggressively covering and scrutinizing institutions like The White House, I'm honored to be selected and hope to continue Sidey's vision of strong journalism."
Hanson’s dream job is reporting on politics for a national news organization, like the ones that he will tour as the 2016 Sidey scholar on his trip to Washington, D.C., this fall. Last year’s winner toured media outlets including The Washington Post, the Associated Press, CNN and The New York Times.
About the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.
