The SCPA Foundation Board recently selected the following scholarship and internship recipients.
Madison Sharrock is named the first Mundy Scholar recognized from Coastal Carolina University. Sharrock is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in communication with a specialized focus in interactive journalism, also minoring in media and digital culture.
As a sophomore and first-generation college student, she has been named on the President’s List each semester to-date. Sharrock was recognized as the Department of  Communication, Media, and Culture’s Outstanding Freshman for the 2021-2022 academic year, as well as the Outstanding Sophomore for 2022-2023.
As this year’s Mundy Scholar, she will receive $1,000 to put toward her education. The Mundy Scholarship is given in memory of R. Frank Mundy, the late publisher of the Index-Journal in Greenwood and the first president of the SCPA Foundation.
Sharrock joined her college newspaper, The Chanticleer, late in her freshman year and became the Assistant Editor at the beginning of her sophomore year in 2022. She covers investigative news stories happening on CCU’s campus, and lately has begun to report on sports as well. Her involvement as Assistant Editor gave her the opportunity to be an Associated Press stringer for the 2022 election precincts in South Carolina.
Sharrock is originally from Shelby, Ohio, and attends CCU on the President’s Scholar Award. She enjoys playing tennis and video games, as well as spending time with her friends and family when she can.
“It’s such an accomplishment and honor to represent Coastal this way,” Sharrock said. “The hardest work goes unnoticed. So when it’s rewarded, it’s a great feeling.”
The Foundation is also awarding a $1,000 scholarship to Mari Pressley of Winthrop University. Pressley is a mass communication major who minors in writing and photography. A native of Columbia, Pressley is the daughter of Malcolm and Malai Pressley.
She has a diverse background in writing, interning on Credit Karma’s Editorial Team last summer. She is also the managing editor of her college newspaper, The Johnsonian.
At The Johnsonian, she has previously worked as a staff writer, assistant arts and culture editor, news editor, arts, culture and tech editor, copy editor and social media editor. And, she has been recognized by The Herald in cooperation with Winthrop’s Mass Communication Department and the South Carolina Press Association for her work.
She has been named one of The Charlotte Observer’s interns this summer.
In her free time, Pressley enjoys photography, as well as being a social media and editorial lead for maibeauty, a brand that sells beauty products for women of color.
“I know the skills I have acquired throughout my time as a student journalist at Winthrop have prepared me well,” Pressley said. “During my time at the Charlotte Observer, I hope to continue developing valuable news writing capabilities and acquiring more hands-on experience.”
In addition to the Foundation’s scholarships, two students are headed out into the field for eight-week summer internships. Sydney Dunlap of USC will intern at The State and David Ferrara of Clemson will intern at The Post and Courier Greenville. We’ll share more details about these exceptional students in next week’s eBulletin!

The Foundation's internships and scholarships are provided by contributions from you! Please support the Foundation's valuable work by making your tax-deductible contribution today.