New Julie Tereshchuk Scholarship Doubles Student Philanthropy Impact

Women Communicators of Austin (WCA) is thrilled to announce a new need-based student scholarship in honor of longtime WCA member, supporter, and past president, Julie Tereshchuk. 

Julie passed away in May 2022 after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Her devoted husband, Trevor Richards, often seen at her side at WCA’s signature Banner Brunch awards, has generously chosen to create an ongoing $5,000 scholarship on behalf of Julie, expanding WCA’s current student scholarship program (Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship).

An active member of WCA, Julie was well known for inviting professional women to attend events and conferences and mentoring other members at various stages of their careers. She loved to give her time and was fully present in the time that she gave. 

The first Julie Tereshchuk Scholarship will be awarded at the 2023 Banner Brunch Awards to be held in Spring 2023. Applications opened today, November 30, 2022, and will close on February 1, 2023.

WCA’s vision is to advance the careers of future communicators, and offering scholarships to support the next generation is an integral part of that vision. Since 1989, WCA has donated more than $85,000 to support 50+ students in Central Texas via its scholarship efforts.

“We are speechless, a hard thing to achieve for a group of loquacious communicators. This scholarship amplifies WCA’s existing scholarship program, and we are honored by Trevor’s generosity. I know wherever Julie is that she has a huge smile on her face— so proud to pave the way for Austin-area up-and-coming communicators,” said Ellen Decareau, Past President of Women Communicators of Austin and Chair of this year’s Scholarship Committee.

To learn more about the scholarship, visit the WCA Scholarship webpage. Scholarship questions can be sent to Kirsten Longnecker, WCA’s VP of Philanthropy, at philanthropy@WCAustin.org or Ellen Decareau, WCA’s Past President, at pastpresident@WCAustin.org.

More About WCA Member and Leader, Julie Tereshchuk

Julie joined what was then the Association for Women in Communications in 2003 and was one of WCA’s most beloved members. She served on the WCA Board of Directors in 2009 and went on to become president from 2011 to 2012. Julie was passionate about lifting women up and supporting the future generation of women communicators. She gave generously to the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship fund each year. She also served as a mentor for WCA’s Mentor Program, which was established in 2014, and was the author of the Ask A Mentor blog for many years. Julie was honored by the organization numerous times, receiving the President’s Award in 2004, the Gladys Whitney Hearst Outstanding Member Award in 2007, and the Leadership Award in 2015. 

Julie served as Editor-in-Chief of Texas Lifestyle Magazine for nearly eight years. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer and editor, and the Special Features Editor for Austin Woman Magazine. She was also a Past President of the Metropolitan Breakfast Club. Julie and her husband adored supporting cultural organizations in Austin in particular KUT, The Paramount Theater, and the Austin Theatre Alliance.