First Browns Scholars to be Recognized at Sunday’s Game

From left to right: Darin Fields, vice president for academic affairs; Heidi Paxson; Jake Miller; and Edward Recker, financial aid director.

The University of Findlay is pleased to announce the winners of the first Browns Scholar competition: Jake Miller, a senior public relations major from Ontario, Ohio, and Heidi Paxson, a freshman journalism major from Columbus, Ohio.
Along with being named a Browns Scholar, the two students have each been awarded a $10,000 scholarship and will be recognized on the field during the Browns vs. Bengals game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6.
As part of The University of Findlay’s Cleveland Browns Edge Partnership, the students competed for the scholarship by submitting a video. As a senior, Miller used his multimedia talents to answer the question, “How do you hope your college experience at Findlay will help you find a meaningful life and productive career?” Paxson, as a freshman, responded to the question, “What is your personal brand and what does your brand say about you as a future leader in your chosen field?”
Along with serving as a student Ambassador, New Student Orientation Leader and marketing student videographer for the University, Miller also competes as a decathlete and is a member of the Oilers track and field team. He and his younger brother, Nick, own an outdoor production company called Otown Outdoors, where they host an online video series at www.otownoutdoors.com.
Paxson is a communication student majoring in journalism and minoring in public relations and sport and event management. She serves as the constitution chair for UFTV, has a passion for writing and public speaking, and hopes to work in the news broadcasting after graduation. She also plays bass in the UF Orchestra, participates in track and cross country, and has volunteered for organizations such as the Hancock County Park District and Habitat for Humanity.
Students from any major were eligible to compete for the scholarship, but they must have had a 2.75 GPA or higher, a demonstrated passion for working in the sports business industry and a strong work ethic.
The University of Findlay Cleveland Browns Edge Partnership works to improve students’ ability to succeed in the sports business industry by combining Findlay’s academic leadership and Browns staff’s industry experience and jointly applying both to the student experience in and outside of the classroom.
Since being established in March 2015, six students have interned in various positions with the Cleveland Browns, hundreds of UF students have learned directly from Browns leadership during the inaugural on-campus Cleveland Browns Edge Career Development Summit, and dozens of other students have been a part of game-day set up experiences.