LONGVIEW UT STUDENT WINS CABLE INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         CONTACT: Gena Keller (512) 474-2082
AUG. 6, 2007 gkeller@txcable.com
Kirsten Voinis (512) 922-7141
kvoinis@austin.rr.com

LONGVIEW UT STUDENT WINS CABLE INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP

Christopher S. Demarais, a University of Texas at Austin student and a graduate of Longview High School, has been selected as a recipient of the 2007 John E. Mankin, Sr. – Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association Endowed Scholarship in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin.

Demarais, son of Steve and Kathy Demarais of Longview, will be a junior Radio-TV-Film major at UT in fall 2007. He has been involved at TSTV, the only entirely student-run television station in the United States, since his freshman year and has worked on several shows.

“The Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association congratulates Mr. Demarais for receiving the Mankin Award, named after a longtime leader in our state’s cable industry,” said Skip Ogle, chairman, TCTA Board of Directors and director of community and government relations for Suddenlink Communications in Tyler.  “We have great confidence that Mr. Demarais will follow in Mr. Mankin’s footsteps and make significant contributions in the communications field.”

“Congratulations to Mr. Demarais and his family for the tremendous academic success he has achieved in the early stages of his career,” said State Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview. “I also commend Longview High School for an outstanding job in guiding his education.”

Demarais stated his career goal is to produce and direct television programs.

“The Mankin Award will enable me to continue my education in UT’s excellent film program,” Demarais said. “The award also will help finance film projects for school and TSTV. By the time I graduate, I will have the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in the competitive entertainment industry.”

The Mankin Award carries a financial award. Recipients are selected by UT’s College of Communications. To be eligible, a student must be a junior or senior, have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, demonstrate financial need and be majoring in communications, business, education, engineering or law. Preference is given to a student who exhibits an interest in a career in the cable television industry.

TCTA (www.txcable.com) is the primary trade organization for cable operators in Texas.