"The Sidney Sheldon Scholarship Award For Screenwriting and Playwriting" will present its first recipient in January, 2004. The prize will alternate each year honoring a playwright and screenwriter enrolled at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.   "We are very proud to be associated with Sidney Sheldon, his success in the worlds of theater, film and television parallels our unique program integrating those three artistic disciplines," stated Dean Robert Rosen in a release. "We are deeply grateful for his generous gift establishing this award."

Sheldon, librettist for the 1959 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Redhead, also penned the books for The Merry Widow, Jackpot and Dream With Music. He also wrote the plays Alice in Arms and Roman Candle. Other writing credits include "The Bachelor & The Bobby-Soxer," "Easter Parade," "Annie Get Your Gun," "I Dream of Jeannie," and "Hart to Hart."  

UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television is on the web at www.tft.ucla.edu.