To honor Fred Rogers’ lifework in children’s television, the TV Academy of Arts and Sciences recently made its fifth annual award of $10,000 scholarships to three college students pursuing careers in children’s media. The scholarship fund was established by the Academy and Ernst & Young as a tribute to Fred Rogers to further the values and principles of his work.

"These individuals have demonstrated a commitment that truly reflects the values, creativity and spirit of Fred Rogers," said Nancy Steingard, co-chair of the Television Academy Foundation education committee.

Thy Than of the University of California, Los Angeles, Mayuran Tiruchelvam of Columbia University and Alexis Lauricella of Georgetown University are the recipients of the scholarships presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation and the firm of Ernst & Young.

In the above photo, scholarship recipients Mayuran Tiruchelvam, Thy Than, Mrs. Joanne Rogers and scholarship recipient Alexis Lauricella pose at the 2009 Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship Ceremony, held at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on Sunday June 7, 2009 in North Hollywood, Calif.

Lauricella, of Washington, D.C., is working on a project exploring the relationship between children's media use and learning, the academy said.

Tiruchelvam, of New York, will use his scholarship to develop live-action short film and animated series.

Than, of Santa Monica, plans to create an animated short about a girl who moves to a new country with her family.