The Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship honors a journalist’s legacy and advocacy while supporting UMass journalism, empowering the next generation of truth-tellers to lead with integrity and purpose.

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When Melanie Guilderson ’27 first learned of the Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship, she was struck by the similarities between her and the scholarship’s namesake, Rhonda Swan ’87.

Both were Black journalism students. Both were women. Both were studying at UMass Amherst. And both had gotten their start at the student newspaper, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian.

“Her story spoke to me as a Black journalism student on campus. There aren't a lot of us,” says Guilderson. “A lot of times when I walk into the Collegian newsroom, I am the only Black woman there. Even just reading a little about Rhonda and her life, I could almost feel the feelings that she felt, and I could imagine myself being in her shoes.”

Guilderson applied for the scholarship and was selected as the 2025 recipient, joining a growing group of students who have used the award to help further their careers in journalism, media, and public relations. 

Created in 2016, the Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Swan, an award-winning journalist, author, and mentor, who became the first Black city editor at The Republican in Springfield. 

The fund supports journalism majors in good academic standing, with preference given to students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly those connected to Springfield.

For Swan's sister, Freda Malone ’90, the scholarship is both tribute and continuation.

“The Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship was created out of love, loss, and a deep desire to continue Rhonda’s impact,” Malone says. “Journalism wasn’t just her career; it was her calling. She believed stories had power and that representation in media matters. After she passed, we knew one of the most meaningful ways to honor her life was to help young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, pursue the same path she loved. 

We wanted her legacy to be something living, something that keeps opening doors, just like she did.”

Freda Malone ’90

Swan’s path at UMass Amherst was shaped by her studies in journalism and psychology and her work at the Collegian.

After graduating in 1987, Swan joined The Republican as a reporter and rose through the ranks to become the religion page editor and, later, the city editor. She was the first African American to hold both positions. 

Swan later worked at The News Journal in Delaware and The Palm Beach Post in Florida, served on editorial boards, provided public television commentary, and mentored aspiring journalists. She also authored novels, poetry, and a memoir, and remained a fierce advocate for equity and inclusion throughout her life.

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“What stands out most is that Rhonda never forgot where she came from,” Malone says. “Even as she achieved milestones like becoming the first Black city editor at The Republican, she remained deeply committed to mentoring, uplifting, and advocating for others. Her legacy isn’t just about titles or accomplishments; it’s about the people she encouraged, the voices she amplified, and the integrity she brought to her work.”

Malone and Swan both attended UMass Amherst, with Malone’s first year at the university coinciding with Swan’s last.

“Attending UMass Amherst was a foundational experience for both of us. It helped shape our confidence and independence,” Malone says. “The professors, the academic environment, and the exposure to different perspectives helped Rhonda find her voice as a communicator and storyteller, and it reinforced for both of us the power of education as a pathway to purpose.”

At home with family, Swan often shared her writing and editing expertise.

“Even though she was a journalist, editor, and author professionally, she was also our ‘private editor,’” Malone says. “We would bring her our writing, resumes, or ideas, and she’d help us polish them… If you had something on your heart, she would listen in a way that made you feel heard and valued. That ability to make people feel seen—that’s who she truly was.”

Feeling heard and valued is exactly how Guilderson describes the moment she learned she had been selected as the 2025 scholarship recipient. 

“It made me feel special because someone saw my story and it resonated with them. It felt amazing to know they saw my potential. That was very validating,” Guilderson says. “It made me realize that my work is important and it gave me the motivation to keep working hard.”

Receiving the award also allowed her to reduce her campus work hours and devote more time to writing and leadership at the Collegian.

“It felt like there was a weight being lifted off of me because I knew I wouldn't have to worry as much about finances,” she explains. 

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A junior in Commonwealth Honors College, Guilderson is double majoring in political science and journalism with a public relations focus. She also serves as an assistant social media editor for the Collegian and assistant editor for The Brick, a satire section of the newspaper. 

After graduation, Guilderson hopes to bring her journalism training into politics as a consultant or campaign manager, helping leaders communicate ethically and effectively. Her goal is to “maintain my journalistic integrity and also make sure that I'm telling the truth just so the voters know exactly what's going to happen,” she says. 

For Malone, watching students like Guilderson carry forward Rhonda’s commitment to truth and representation is deeply meaningful.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming,” she says.

In 2024, the Swan family transitioned the scholarship into an endowed fund, ensuring its impact for generations to come.

“Now that the fund is endowed, it means Rhonda’s legacy will live on,” Malone says. “My hope is that this award helps students pursue their dreams, become truth-tellers, and stay committed to journalism even in challenging times… That’s the legacy I hope this scholarship continues to support.”

Make a gift to the Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship and help UMass journalism students pursue their calling, amplify underrepresented voices, and carry forward Rhonda’s legacy.