Meet Ella Pierzecki

CMU junior Gabriella “Ella” Pierzecki is this year’s proud recipient of a one-year award from the Peter B. Orlik Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation Scholarship, named in honor of CMU Media Arts Program founder and former director Peter B. Orlik. Orlik will be inducted into the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media’s MEDIA HALL OF FAME this November.

Pierzecki, a native of Canton, Michigan, always wanted to do something to help people. In high school, she loved giving speeches and took news classes.

“After visiting CMU a couple of times and learning more about the Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program, I decided to apply,” she said. “I love the hands-on experience I received in my freshman year, and I already feel ahead of my peers.”

Preference for this scholarship award is given for a student with a signed Media Arts Major, or Cinema Arts Major or Minor, and active in a Media Arts co-curricular activity. Pierzecki, who is majoring in Integrative Public Relations, completed an internship this past summer at WDIV-TV Channel 4 in Detroit, where she worked at the assignment desk and coordinated story assignments for reporters. She also pitched stories for their website. She also interned for WCMU as a student reporter for the radio station.

“I used my scholarship for pay for my internship course credit,” Pierzecki said. She plans to work in television news and is grateful for the financial support.

“I feel very honored, and I love CMU. This scholarship has really encouraged me to continue to pursue broadcast journalism,” she said.

For more information about the Peter B. Orlik Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation Scholarship and other opportunities, visit School of Communication, Journalism, and Media Scholarships | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu).