Since its founding in 1928, the Interstate Advertising Managers’ Association (IAMA) contributed over $100,000 in scholarship funds to college or university students. Later, the Pennsylvania Advertising Managers’ Association (PAMA) carried on the tradition of awarding scholarships to students at Pennsylvania colleges or universities majoring in advertising, more recently renaming the scholarship to the John G. Leeser, Jr. Scholarship, for his dedication to the organization and the sales profession.
Beginning in 2025, the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation (PNAF) is proud to continue with this time-honored tradition and will recognize two Pennsylvania college or university students majoring in advertising or any related major (i.e. journalism, communications, marketing, digital sales, social media) with the John G. Leeser, Jr. Scholarship. Each award will be $1,500.
Donations can be made online through the Foundation’s Donate Now page. Simply note John Leeser Scholarship Fund in the comments box. Checks payable to the PNA Foundation can be sent to: John Leeser Scholarship Fund, 4000 Crums Mill Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17112.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 John G. Leeser, Jr. Scholarships!
Claire Gallagher
Susquehanna University
“To me, the honor of writing is the connection it allows us to have with people we may never know.”
Annelise Hanson
Penn State University
“Pursuing Journalism is a way to grow closer to the heart of the world and follow my innate curiosity. I am so honored to receive this scholarship as it allows me to continue accepting opportunities to learn and tell more stories.”
Awards were presented at the Student Keystone Media Awards Luncheon on April 14 in Harrisburg. Scholars will also be invited as a special guest to attend PNA’s Advertising Conference in State College in September.
About John G. Leeser, Jr.
In June 2024, John G. Leeser Jr. was named publisher of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette community newspaper, SunGazette.com, the East Lycoming Shopper and The Luminary. Prior to that, he was the advertising sales manager at the Sun-Gazette since 2001.
He has been active in various state newspaper and sales professional organizations, including the Interstate Advertising Managers’ Association (IAMA), where he has held numerous board positions including president and treasurer, and at the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association (PNA), where he served as a member of the advertising sales conference planning committee.
He was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Advertising Managers’ Association (PAMA), formerly IAMA, for his dedication to the organization and the sales profession, with an annual scholarship to be given in his name to a Pennsylvania student in the field of advertising and marketing.
His newspaper advertising sales career began in 1984 at the then Milton Standard and Lewisburg Journal, now the Standard-Journal in Milton. He was responsible for sales in lower Northumberland County and all of Snyder County. In 1986, he took on a larger sales territory at the Daily Item in Sunbury. There he had several promotions, including co-op coordinator and assistant retail advertising manager.
2025 John G. Leeser, Jr. Scholarship winners:
Logan Crossett (Elizabethtown College) and Aliyyah Gonzalez (Chestnut Hill College)
“One of my favorite parts about studying marketing is using media to tell stories and connect with people.“
Logan Crossett, Elizabethtown College
“Gratitude turns every accomplishment into a stepping stone for even greater growth.”
Aliyyah Gonzalez, Chestnut Hill College
