Christopher Lee Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Purpose:
The Fund is established to provide scholarships for students majoring in either Criminal Justice or Political Science.
Christopher Lee Anderson, a 1998 graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver, died in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, June 2, 2001, after being struck by lightning. During his time at ‘Metro,’ he gained journalism knowledge and experience through print journalism classes and by working many hours for the Metropolitan (student newspaper) in various roles from reporting to editing. He also wrote for the Capitol Reporter covering State Government and politics and campaigns while a journalism student. In addition to school, Christopher worked as a waiter in order to support himself through college.
The Boulder Daily Camera newspaper provided University of Colorado Journalism students with paid internships but Christopher was able to persuade the staff to try him out. Shortly after starting the internship, he was hired as the Courts and Crimes reporter and also wrote human interest stories. Christopher covered such high-profile stories as the JonBenet Ramsey and Susannah Chase homicides and the University Hill riots. He received numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Colorado Press Association for high-profile stories.
While Journalism was Christopher’s passion he realized after 4 years working as a Boulder Daily Camera reporter that it was time to look at other careers as newspaper print journalism was on the decline. His other interests were politics and criminal justice. Family, friends, co-workers, and members of law enforcement and the legal community honored Christopher by coming together to endow a scholarship in his memory for other aspiring students.

Criteria:
• Be meeting the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state, or institutional aid
• Have a declared major in either Criminal Justice & Criminology or Political Science
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Be a Junior or Senior during the semester(s) the scholarship is received
• Be taking 12 or more credit hours during the semester(s) the scholarship is received
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Demonstrate up to 2x Pell eligibility as determined by the completion of a FAFSA application with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Applicants must submit the following: 1) a Degree Progress Report (30% on the rubric); and 2) a cover letter detailing why they are pursuing their particular degree and any related information about jobs, internships or experience (70% on rubric).

Students may reapply for the award as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Sophomores can apply towards their upcoming junior year and juniors may apply for their upcoming senior year.
Awards will go to the top applicants regardless of whether they come from the same department.