Six new recipients will be receiving $2,500 scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year: Haddy Badjie of Western Kentucky University (WKU), Alan Branch of the University of Louisville, Parker Franklin of Murray State University, Elizabeth Gabbert of the University of Kentucky (UK), Taylor Gadberry of UK, and Cory McCauley of WKU.

The scholarships are awarded through a competitive application process which includes academic achievement, the recommendation of a faculty member, and extracurricular activities. The awards are renewable for a second year provided recipients continue to meet specified criteria.

Two students who received the KBA Barfield Scholarship in 2014-15 have had their awards, also valued at $2,500, renewed for the 2015-16 academic year: Keith DeVeaux II of the University of the Cumberlands and Nathaniel Metz of Berea College.

Three other recipients from last year, Michael Bowlds of WKU, Cathleen Jeanty of Bellarmine University, and Megan Short of WKU graduated this spring.

"The KBA is proud to be able to help these talented students pursue their higher education," said Gary White, president and CEO of KBA. "This year's total of $20,000 in scholarship awards means that the KBA now has awarded a total of $225,000 in scholarships since the inception of the program in the 1992-93 academic year. Many of these recipients have gone on to successful careers in broadcasting and other related communications fields."

The program is named in honor of Harry Barfield, the late president and chairman of WLEX-TV in Lexington.

Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Marketing, and a longtime KBA associate member, administers the program.