Ruschell Boone Scholarship Established

Memorial Fund to Support West Indian Students in Journalism

The City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York State Attorney General Letitia James have announced the establishment of the Ruschell Boone Scholarship, a memorial fund in honor of the late award-winning journalist. The scholarship will support West Indian students pursuing journalism degrees at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY or Baruch College.

About Ruschell Boone

Ruschell Boone was a brilliant journalist who touched the lives of everyone she encountered. She was an Emmy award-winning reporter at Spectrum News NY1 and a graduate of CUNY’s Baruch College, who passed away in 2023 following a brave battle against pancreatic cancer.

Scholarship Details

The scholarship is supported by an initial endowment of $125,000 pledged by the CUNY Board of Trustees and University supporters. It will help defray the cost of college-related expenses for students.

“Ruschell Boone was a brilliant journalist who touched the lives of everyone she encountered,” said Attorney General James. “Her understanding of this city, its communities, and its people truly made her a New York City treasure. She uplifted people whose stories were often overlooked and always showed up during tough and scary times because she knew her reporting brought comfort to this city. With this scholarship, Ruschell’s legacy lives on – empowering a future generation of journalists to embody her authenticity and compassion. I am so grateful to Chair Thompson and CUNY for providing this scholarship and honoring Ruschell in the most impactful way.”

“We are proud to honor Ruschell Boone, continuing the principle she lived by, with this new scholarship in her name for CUNY students,” said CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. “We are appreciative to her fellow CUNY alumna, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, for having the idea to preserve Ruschell’s legacy in this meaningful way.”

“Ruschell Boone made a name for herself in her two decades keeping New Yorkers informed on NY1, even as she battled pancreatic cancer,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “She was an inspirational Baruch alumna who made it her mission to support those who came after her, and it is our honor to keep the memory of her dedication to mentorship alive with this scholarship.”

“Ruschell’s presence leaped off the screen,” said Spectrum Networks Executive Vice President Michael Bair. “She was effervescent, on and off camera. She was also a fierce, ambitious, and determined journalist. She set high standards for herself, NY1, and our whole city. It is only fitting that her incomparable legacy lives on through this investment in the next generation of journalists.”

About Ruschell

Ruschell dedicated her career to telling the stories of New York’s diverse communities and made it her mission to give back to the community and inspire youth to pursue their passions. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where she spent her early childhood before immigrating to the Bronx at age 11. As a student at Baruch College, Ruschell discovered a passion for journalism, which first led her to CNBC and CNN, and ultimately landed her at Spectrum News NY1 in 2002. In her 20 years at NY1, Ruschell was beloved by New Yorkers for her thoughtful, informative reporting and focus on communities that were often ignored, marginalized, or misrepresented.

Awards and Recognition

Ruschell earned multiple awards for her work, including Best Spot News Reporting from the New York Association of Black Journalists, Best Feature Reporting from the New York Press Club, and a New York Emmy Award for her series, “New York: Unfiltered.”

Donations

For donations to the Ruschell Boone Scholarship Fund, checks may be payable to the City University of New York and will be deposited in a separate account at the CUNY Endowment Fund to fund the scholarships. If a 501(c)3 is required for the donation, then checks may be made payable to the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, where they will be held in a separate account.

Conclusion

The Ruschell Boone Scholarship is a testament to her commitment to journalism and her community. It is our hope that this scholarship will continue to inspire and empower young journalists to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the world.

FAQs

* Q: Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
A: West Indian students pursuing journalism degrees at CUNY or Baruch College are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
* Q: What is the amount of the scholarship?
A: The initial endowment is $125,000, which will support the scholarship for students pursuing journalism degrees at CUNY or Baruch College.
* Q: How can I make a donation to the scholarship fund?
A: Checks may be payable to the City University of New York or the Research Foundation of the City University of New York.