Oakes awarded Don Marsh Scholarship in Healthcare Writing

Cheyenne Oakes, a graduate student pursing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications at West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media, is the latest recipient of the Don Marsh Scholarship in Healthcare Writing. The scholarship includes a tuition waiver and a paid graduate assistantship in University Relations –  Health Sciences.

Oakes finished her undergraduate studies in spring 2023 earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a major in advertising and public relations as part of the college’s 4+1 accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree program. She previously worked as a communications intern at the WVU School of Medicine, a patient engagement and advocacy intern at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. and an account executive for Martin Hall Agency.

The scholarship honors West Virginia journalist Don Marsh, who was employed at the Charleston Gazette for 40 years – first as a reporter, then as an editor and columnist. Marsh gained a national reputation for exposing arrogance, corruption and hypocrisy through his work as a journalist. He became editor of the Charleston Gazette in 1976 and won The American Society of Newspaper Editors Distinguished Writing Award for commentary in 1987.

After his retirement from the daily newspaper, Marsh was a commentator on the West Virginia MetroNews radio network until his death in 1999.

Oakes is the daughter of Michael and Amy Oakes. She is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and is a 2019 graduate of Oshkosh West High School.

For more information about WVU Health Sciences, visit health.wvu.edu.