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STARKVILLE, Miss.--Three Mississippi State seniors from the Magnolia State and one from the Peach State are receiving 2015 summer communication intern scholarships.

Karen H. Chan of Grenada, Georgia C. Clarke of Greenville, Niki Eisgruber of Powder Springs, Georgia, and Colby R. Jordan of Madison are the newest Lora J. DeFore Memorial Endowed Internship Scholars. They are sharing a $5,000 award distribution.

Provided by the university's communication department and its DeFore Memorial Endowed Scholarship Committee, the annual awards are designed to assist with relocation costs associated with summer work experiences that must be secured through individual initiatives.

Honoring a popular instructor known for encouraging students to seek demanding internships that would enhance their educational experience and employment opportunities, the scholarships are open to all Ï㽶ֱ²¥communication majors. To be selected, applicants must have completed at least 45 hours of academic coursework, with an overall 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average.

A former Kentucky resident, Defore died in 2009 following a long battle with cancer. In addition to full-time teaching duties for nearly 20 years, she had coordinated both the department's public relations concentration and internship program.

Chan is a Grenada High School graduate concentrating in broadcasting and public relations. She is working in Nashville, Tennessee, with Provident Label Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. In addition to her studies, Chan has held previous internships with the athletic department's media relations office and HailState Productions. She also has served as an Ï㽶ֱ²¥Orientation Leader and Student Association Executive Council member.

Clarke is a Washington School graduate concentrating in journalism and public relations, with a minor in English. She is working in Washington D.C., in the office of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi. At MSU, she has been a writer in the public affairs office, as well as at the Starkville Daily News.

Eisgruber is a Hillgrove High School graduate concentrating in public relations. She is working in Atlanta with Turner Broadcasting System. At MSU, she has worked as an announcer with WMSV-FM, the 24/7 campus radio station, and in production of "This Week at Mississippi State," a weekly cable television show.

Jordan is a Madison Ridgeland Academy graduate concentrating in public relations, with minors in marketing and pre-law. She also is working on Sen. Cochran's Washington staff. Beyond classroom studies, Jordan has been a member of the Student Association, Maroon VIP campus welcome team and the athletic department's Diamond Girls organization.

In addition to broadcasting, journalism and public relations, the Ï㽶ֱ²¥communication department offers concentrations in communication studies and theatre. For complete information, visit .

MSU, Mississippi's flagship research institution, is online at , facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.