Waynesburg University’s Department of Communication is hosting a competition this Friday, Feb. 23, for high school seniors to win a $10,000 scholarship.

The scholarship is divided out between the four years the winner attends Waynesburg University.

Students who have been accepted to the university and are planning to major in communication are invited for Communication Scholarship Day.

“Stakes are going to be a little high,” said Chairperson for the Communication Department Richard Krause. “These students are competing for a scholarship, so we expect a form of professionalism.”

The prospective students will participate in communication related activities throughout the night.

This allows incoming seniors a chance to preview what the department has to offer.

Faculty, as well as student leaders, develop relationships with, as well as welcome, the future Waynesburg students.

The night is a chance for these incoming students to soak up as much knowledge as possible.

“They really become informed consumers,” said Krause. “They find out about faculty, current students and what they might have here in the next four years.”

The relationships built during this night are academically and socially based.

The recipient of the scholarship last year and current freshman, sports broadcasting, major Dylan Cleland easily got a jump start to his four-year college story at Waynesburg University.

“At that time, I had not decided on my roommate, but I decided to room with someone that attended the Scholarship Night,” said Cleland. “It was neat to connect with students early on and now some of them have become my really good friends.”

As for being acclimated to the everyday life of being a Communication major, this was potentially the first step in the right direction.

“I’ve always felt experience trumps anything else, especially in this hands-on department,” Cleland said. “To walk around the fourth floor of Buhl Hall and be familiarized with everything was a neat transition.”

The Scholarship Day commences at 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile at 5:00 p.m. the parents will go to a panel to hear for themselves what Waynesburg University has to offer.

At that same time the prospective students will proceed to the Benedum Dining Hall for dinner. The parents panel helps the parents understand everything included in the department.

“Student leaders amongst the department talk about different areas within the department,” said Krause. “Organizations like WCTV, The Yellow Jacket and PRSSA are getting a chance to be showcased to these parents.”

The final college decision normally comes down to the students, as well as their parents. The parents panel becomes a second showing of how Waynesburg University is a family-like community environment.

Following Friday’s competition is Admitted Student Day. It begins Saturday, starting at 8:00 a.m.

According to Vice President for Enrollment Dr. Shari Payne, this is another way for high school students to find out the pleasant experience at Waynesburg University.

“That’s what people tell us when they get back from a college visit on campus,” said Dr. Payne. “That it’s a friendly, warm and welcoming family environment.”

This weekend is one of the biggest times for sealing the deal with students looking to attend Waynesburg University. At this point in time, students have most likely visited the university and applied to attend.

“Typically, around 80 percent of students who come to the event will end up attending the university in the fall,” said Krause. “It serves as a foundation for the recruiting class.”