A new scholarship honoring a former Daily Cardinal writer and editor will be available to a Cardinal staff member starting in the 2016-17 academic year.

Alumni who became close friends with Keenan Peck in the early 1980s during his time at the Cardinal established the Keenen Peck Memorial Scholarship in 2015. A brilliant and witty writer and a loyal friend and colleague, Peck was a key voice at the paper for a number of years.

"Keenen made an indelible impact on the Cardinal through his passion for politics, his deep knowledge of journalism and his unwavering belief that great writing not only informs readers, but can inspire them to action," Jim Nelson, a friend of Peck's and former Cardinal staffer, said. "This scholarship is a way for his legacy and commitment to live on and to support students who share his desire to change the world for the better through the written word."

Peck went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School and served as a law clerk for the late U.S. District Judge Terence T. Evans in Milwaukee. In 1997, he became counsel to former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kohl contributed $10,000 through the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation to honor Peck and inspire others.

"With this scholarship, the memory of Keenen Peck as a brilliant lawyer who was passionate about politics, journalism and helping people will live on to inspire future leaders," Sen. Kohl said. "A former member of my Senate Judiciary staff, he was of the very best, someone we all miss and remember fondly."

"Keenen used words to illuminate the challenges we face in making America's dream a reality. He encouraged us to take action. We thank you for helping keep his goal alive," his brothers Kevin and Kraig Peck said in a statement.

Daily Cardinal opinion writers or desk editors are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Peck died unexpectedly of a heart ailment in 1999. He was 29.