FOI Foundation of Texas announces Ralph Langer Scholarship recipients

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2023 

AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has named Brianna Chavez, a journalism junior at Texas State University, as the recipient of the inaugural Ralph Langer Scholarship.

Alongside her journalism studies, Chavez has worked as a life and arts reporter at the University Star, Texas State’s student-run newspaper. Some of her stories have been published by the Austin American-Statesmen. Chavez, who is in the first generation of her family to attend college, will receive a $6,000 scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.

The scholarship was created in memory of Ralph Langer, a guiding light as the FOI Foundation became the state’s leading voice on transparency and the First Amendment.

The FOI Foundation’s scholarship committee is also presenting a discretionary $1,500 Langer Scholarship award to Mackenzie Matwick, a junior journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin. Matwick has worked for The Drag Audio Production House at UT-Austin and wants to pursue a career in investigative podcasting.

“Both Brianna Chavez and Mackenzie Matwick demonstrate a passion for a career in journalism. These exceptional students have already proven they are dedicated to doing the hard work it takes to tell important stories that keep the public well informed,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the foundation.

This is the inaugural year for the Ralph Langer Scholarship. Kathy Langer, his wife of 61 years and a longtime dedicated volunteer with the FOI Foundation, has provided leadership and a generous contribution to create the memorial scholarship.

Ralph Langer, who died in August 2021 at age 84, was executive editor and vice president of The Dallas Morning News before his retirement in the late 1990s. He led the newspaper to six Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure. Langer was a president of the nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas and served as the founding president of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. He continued to support the FOI Foundation of Texas by serving on the board of the FOI Supporting Foundation board until he passed away.

“Ralph’s professional life revolved around the importance of freedom of information and what it means to every American, and the scholarship was created to assist journalism and photojournalism students who share that passion,” Kathy Langer explained.

She thanked FOI Foundation board member and past president Paul Watler and foundation supporters Robert and Maureen Decherd for their generous help in furthering the goals of the organization and the Ralph Langer Scholarship.

The FOI Foundation of Texas, founded in 1978, is dedicated to protecting the rights of free speech and free press and to enhancing the public’s right to know about government through access to records and meetings.

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Contact: Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
Phone: 512-377-1575
Email: [email protected]

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. More information is available at www.foift.org. The Freedom of Information Foundation’s main offices are at 3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302, in Austin, Texas 78705.