Jake Loburak and Ria Troilo, Communication and Digital Media majors at Neumann University, have been selected to receive $1,000 scholarships from the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.

They are two of only 20 college students in the Delaware Valley chosen for the 2020 Broadcast Pioneers awards.

The scholarships are given to current college sophomores and juniors (for use in their junior and senior years) who have demonstrated academic excellence and professional potential.

To qualify, students must be studying radio, TV, film production, or associated fields and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Loburak is active in Neumann Media, Neumann Update (a weekly TV show), WNUW, campus ministry, and Neumann’s roller hockey team.

He is currently hosting a show that interviews committed students from the incoming class of 2024.

Troilo is a sports and weather anchor for Neumann Update, a presidential ambassador, and works as an NHL cheerleader for the Philadelphia Flyers Organization.

Troilo said of the award, “Receiving this scholarship has certainly been a bright spot throughout these uncertain times, and I look forward to all the opportunities this scholarship may bring me. It has reassured me that as long as I put my full effort and mind to something, I can achieve anything.”

Loburak added, “The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia are a very well-known organization, and to be recognized by them is humbling.”

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization devoted to collecting information about and promoting cultural work related to broadcasting and communications throughout the Delaware Valley.

An awards luncheon normally scheduled in April, has been postponed because of the pandemic.