By Storer “Bob” Rowley
The Chicago Headline Club and Foundation are pleased to announce Carly Gist, a sophomore at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as the 2025 recipient of the Les Brownlee Memorial Scholarship. The $5,000 award is given annually to a journalism student from Illinois in honor of the late Les Brownlee, a trailblazing journalist and the first Black president of the Chicago Headline Club.
Gist was selected on April 16 following the foundation board’s rigorous review of a strong applicant pool.
Gist, 20, is completing her second year at SIU, majoring in journalism and specializing in news editorial. She serves as News Editor of The Daily Egyptian, the university’s student-run newspaper, and is set to assume the role of Deputy Editor-in-Chief this fall. As a freelance journalist, her reporting has been published in The New York Times and Capitol News Illinois.
“As a journalist, my primary goal is to bring a platform to different voices and perspectives, and I believe journalism can truly bring change and better lives,” Gist said. “There is a phrase I like a lot that journalism is the ‘first rough draft of history.’ I believe that, and I want to help record history so we can continue to learn from it.”
Gist expressed excitement and gratitude upon learning of her selection for the scholarship. She shared that the funding will support her continued reporting and participation in an upcoming broadcast journalism program in Germany. “I am so honored to have been selected, and so grateful to the foundation for helping me pursue my dreams,” she said.
Foundation President Molly McDonough praised Gist’s talent and drive. “Gist stood out from a strong candidate pool as a remarkable candidate, with her work appearing in news outlets across the state through her freelance work with Capitol News Illinois,” she said. “We are happy to award Gist this scholarship to help support her continued education and career in journalism.”
McDonough added that the Foundation is excited to follow Gist’s career as she pursues her aspiration of becoming a reporter and editor at a print publication.
Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Gist hopes to cover a wide range of stories across the U.S., with interests in long-form reporting, general news, entertainment and politics. Her early career accomplishments already reflect this ambition. While at The Daily Egyptian, her reporting on natural disasters in downstate Illinois and Missouri led to a freelance assignment with The New York Times. She has also covered judicial matters and other key issues for Capitol News Illinois.
Writing has long been Gist’s passion. At age 19, she completed her first novel—a 400-page coming-of-age story. Growing up, she was also an avid athlete, playing soccer, softball, swimming and golf at Bosse High School in Evansville.
Since joining The Daily Egyptian, Gist said she has found her true calling. She now leads the News Desk, assigning stories and mentoring writers while continuing to publish impactful work.
McDonough and Scholarship Committee Chair Storer “Bob” Rowley thanked the faculty, advisors, and student media organizations at colleges across Illinois for promoting the scholarship and encouraging students to apply.
About the Brownlee Scholarship
The Les Brownlee Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Les Brownlee, who broke racial barriers in journalism and championed the profession throughout his career until his death in 2005.
Undergraduate journalism students at Illinois institutions are eligible to apply. Recipients are selected based on journalistic excellence, experience, writing samples and demonstrated commitment to the field. Applications for the 2026 scholarship cycle will open in February.