CINCINNATI– The Scripps Howard Foundation, seeking to increase diversity in America’s newsrooms, has committed $2.3 million to be distributed over five years for the development of the journalism and communications program at Hampton University in Hampton, Va.The commitment includes a $1 million endowment to establish the Scripps Howard Professorship of Journalism within the university’s Department of Mass Media. The balance will be used for faculty development, student scholarships and internships, a visiting professional program and for the purchase of new computer and electronic equipment.The foundation also is discussing the possibility of additional endowments and a new building for Hampton’s Department of Mass Media.“Our hope is that this endowment and long-term commitment by Scripps Howard Foundation is the kind of positive step that’s needed to make our country’s newsrooms more diverse,” said Judith G. Clabes, president and chief executive officer of the foundation. “This is a good start, but we know that we all still have a long way to go to solve a problem that has persisted in our industry.”William Harvey, president of Hampton University, said, “the partnership that has been forged will clearly produce quality results in the nation’s print and broadcast newsrooms, management and ownership. With the help of the Scripps Howard Foundation, Hampton’s journalism program can now reach its goal of being one of the top 10 programs in the country.”Scripps Howard Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company, which has interests in newspapers, broadcast television, cable television networks and other media-related enterprises. “We’re honored to be in partnership with Hampton University to provide a quality education for future journalists,” said William R. Burleigh, chairman and chief executive officer of Scripps. ”Hampton has a widely respected academic tradition that fits well with our foundation’s mission of promoting journalistic excellence and professional development, and we’re anticipating a long and mutually fruitful relationship.”Hampton University’s Department of Mass Media offers curricula in broadcast journalism, print journalism, public relations and advertising. Charlotte Grimes, formerly director of the foundation’s Semester in Washington program, has been named the new chairperson of Hampton’s Department of Mass Media and is the first recipient of the Scripps Howard Professorship of Journalism. Her appointment is effective June 1.Before heading the Semester in Washington program, Grimes was a visiting assistant professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She also was a national correspondent and columnist in the Washington bureau of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Hampton University offers a quality academic program that provides a liberal arts foundation offering bachelor’s and or master’s degrees in many professional and scientific disciplines. The Ph.D. is awarded in physics, physical therapy, nursing and pharmacy.Dedicated to excellence in journalism, the Scripps Howard Foundation is a leader in industry efforts in journalism education, scholarships, internships, literacy, minority recruitment/development and First Amendment causes.