When Jacob Baynham arrived at The University of Montana, he found it had the academic programs he was looking for, a community he liked and the recreational opportunities he enjoyed.
When Baynham received a Presidential Scholarship, it was another great thing about UM. The scholarship has allowed him to focus on his academic goals. “Many students must have jobs outside of going to school. This scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and do the best I can,” he said. In addition, Baynham thinks the scholarship provides an important point of access to education for students who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. He admires the generosity and vision of a donor who would provide a scholarship. He said, “It’s a leap of faith to provide a scholarship to someone you don’t know, but it really makes a difference for us.”
The University of Montana’s excellent journalism education will allow Baynham to pursue his dream of reporting on Asian issues and culture. He is passionate and articulate about his hopes to increase Western awareness of Asian issues and culture. Over the last two years, the journalism school has helped him develop his writing and hone his photography skills and he looks forward to the next two years when his focus will shift to hands-on reporting projects.