Jeff Baenen

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Jamestown native Jeff Baenen has created the Jeffrey Baenen Broadcast Scholarship at his alma mater, Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he graduated in 1976.

The scholarships will go to fulltime students at MSUM majoring in Broadcast Journalism, with preference for incoming freshman or transfer students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Applications will open in spring 2023, with the first scholarships awarded in fall 2023.

Baenen said he wanted to encourage students to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and to learn the skills to prepare them for this rapidly evolving field. He also wanted to give back to MSUM for giving him tools, training and experience for a 42-year career with The Associated Press, including 24 years as Minnesota broadcast editor in Minneapolis. He retired from AP in September 2020.

Baenen dedicates his scholarship to the memory of his parents, longtime Jamestown residents Jerrold and Shirley Baenen.