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Scripps Howard Foundation, Hampton University open new school of journalism and communications

Sept. 9, 2002
 

HAMPTON, Va. – The Scripps Howard Foundation and Hampton University, in partnership to increase workplace diversity in the nation’s media, are opening the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications this fall on Hampton’s seaside campus in Virginia.The inauguration of the Scripps Howard School, including the completion of a new 36,000-square-foot academic building, will be celebrated Sept. 23-27 with a series of special events and professional forums at Hampton.Dedication of the Scripps Howard School and the new building will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25. Kenneth W. Lowe, president and chief executive officer of The E. W. Scripps Company, will lead the dedication ceremonies and deliver the first public lecture later that day, at 7:30 p.m., in the new school’s Robert P. Scripps Auditorium.Creation of the Scripps Howard School was made possible through a $10 million commitment from the Scripps Howard Foundation – the philanthropic arm of The E. W. Scripps Company. In addition to the new building, the Foundation’s commitment includes support for the university’s new journalism curriculum and endowments for scholarships, visiting professionals, faculty development and programming. The partnership between the Foundation and Hampton was created to foster workplace diversity in the nation’s media by providing the industry with an ongoing source for qualified journalism and communications professionals. Hampton, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is committed to multiculturalism and serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. The university, founded in 1868, offers a comprehensive curriculum through more than 45 academic programs and has an annual enrollment of more than 6,000 students.“The upcoming celebration marking the opening of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University is all about beginnings,” said Lowe. “From this time forward, the Scripps Howard Foundation and Hampton will be working together to educate future generations of media industry leaders. Together, we share an awesome responsibility to help secure the future of our industry, which plays an increasingly important role in shaping the society in which we all live. We couldn’t have found a better partner than Hampton to take on this daunting task.”Dr. William Harvey, president of Hampton University, said, “The partnership between Hampton University and the Scripps Howard Foundation will positively revolutionize journalism and journalism education in this country. Our mission is to bring diversity into the newsrooms, along with training good, responsible and objective journalists. Hampton University’s values of honesty, integrity, respect for oneself, and respect for the dignity, feelings and worth of others are very much in concert with the values of the Scripps organization. Working together, we are going to make the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications one of the top 10 in the country.”Judith G. Clabes, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation, said “Our decision at Scripps Howard Foundation to enter into this partnership is firmly grounded in the Foundation’s primary mission to promote excellence in journalism and the media industry. One of our industry’s most glaring weaknesses is that there are embarrassingly few people of color in high profile, leadership positions. Working with Hampton University to establish this program, we believe, provides a practical, long-term solution to this persistent problem.”Hampton has declared Wednesday, Sept. 25, as Scripps Howard Day at the university. In addition to the building dedication and Lowe’s public lecture, the Foundation is hosting a “Festival on the Lawn” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which time food and beverages will be provided for all Hampton students, staff and faculty. Tours of the new Scripps Howard School also will be offered during the festival.Representatives from several professional organizations and media companies will be participating in the weeklong series of workshops and professional forums. Participating will be representatives from the Society of Professional Journalists; National Association of Black Journalists; The Freedom Forum; Foundation for American Communications; American Society of Newspaper Editors; Virginia Press Association; Radio-Television News Directors Association; American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors; Virginia Coalition for Open Government; Student Press Law Center; and Society of Environmental Journalists. Media companies, in addition to Scripps, that will be represented include the New York Times Co., the Tribune Company, Media General, Belo Corp., The Washington Post, United Media and Landmark Communications.About Hampton University Hampton University is located on a 204-acre waterfront campus in southeastern Virginia on the mid-Atlantic coast and offers a quality academic program to all students. The university was the first among Historically Black Colleges and Universities to offer journalism-related curriculum when it established its Department of Mass Media Arts in 1967. Hampton provides a liberal arts foundation for its professional and scientific disciplines. Some of the major areas of study are: aviation science, architecture, entrepreneurship, environmental and marine science, chemistry, electrical and chemical engineering, music engineering technology, education, English, business, computer sciences, mass media, nursing, communicative services and disorders, physical therapy, physics, paralegal studies, fire administration, emergency medical systems management and systems management.Students may earn the bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in many areas. The Ph.D. is awarded in physics, physical therapy and nursing; and the Pharm D. is awarded in pharmacy. About Scripps Howard Foundation and The E. W. Scripps CompanyDedicated 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. The Foundation’s philanthropic distributions totaled about $5 million in 2001, not including its commitment to Hampton.The E.W. Scripps Company, with headquarters in Cincinnati, is a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations and four cable television networks.Scripps national television network brands include Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY — Do It Yourself Network and Fine Living. Scripps Networks programming can be seen in 25 countries.The company also operates Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, the worldwide licensing and syndication home of PEANUTS and DILBERT, and 31 Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com, fineliving.com and comics.com.###Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton UniversityOpening and DedicationSept. 23-27Monday, Sept. 23 Hampton Alumni Day. Noted alumni will be honored and alumni scholarships will be awarded during a luncheon. Tuesday, Sept. 24 First Amendment Celebration presented by Ken Paulson, senior vice president of The Freedom Forum and executive director of the First Amendment Center, and recording artist Bill Lloyd. Presentations are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Freedom of Information program sponsored by the Virginia Press Association, Virginia Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. Wednesday, Sept 25 Scripps Howard Day 11a.m. – 2 p.m. Festival on the Lawn, sponsored by the Scripps Howard Foundation, for Hampton students, faculty and staff. Tours of the new Scripps Howard School will be offered. 11:30 a.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony. Remarks by Dr. William Harvey, president of Hampton University; Kenneth W. Lowe, president and chief executive officer of The E. W. Scripps Company’; and Judith G. Clabes, president and chief executive officer of the Scripps Howard Foundation. 7:30 p.m. Public lecture by Kenneth W. Lowe in the Robert P. Scripps Auditorium at the new Scripps Howard School.Thursday, Sept. 26 Professional day for students. Panel discussions, seminars and workshops led by media industry professionals will be offered throughout the day. Friday, Sept. 27 Copy editing workshop led by Don Hecker of The New York Times. The workshop will be held from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Three workshops will be led by representatives from the Radio & Television News Directors Association on ethics in broadcast news, convergence of media industry technologies and on how to become a television news producer. Workshops on public relations and advertising also will be offered.###Fact Sheet Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and CommunicationsBackground: The newest academic program offered at Hampton University, the school was created through a $10 million commitment from the Scripps Howard Foundation. The Foundation’s financial commitment includes funding for a new building, support for the university’s new journalism curriculum and endowments for scholarships, visiting professionals, faculty development and programming. The Foundation announced its partnership with Hampton in 2000, at the time committing nearly $7 million to the new journalism program. The Foundation has committed an additional $3 million to Hampton over the past two years.Scripps Howard School academic building: The 36,000-square-foot building has four classrooms, broadcast journalism facilities, including a television studio with state-of-the-art digital editing equipment and the campus radio station; a multi-media lecture hall/auditorium; and four computer labs for reporting, writing and editing for print, broadcast and online journalism and communications. Hampton UniversityLocation: Hampton is located on a 204-acre waterfront campus in southeastern Virginia on the mid-Atlantic coast.Enrollment: Annual enrollment is about 6,000 students. Founded: 1868Leadership: Dr. William Harvey, president.Profile: A Historically Black College and University, Hampton is committed to multiculturalism and serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. The university offers a comprehensive curriculum through more than 45 academic programs. Students may earn the bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in many areas. The Ph.D. is awarded in physics, physical therapy and nursing; and the Pharm D. is awarded in pharmacy. Scripps Howard FoundationHeadquarters: CincinnatiCorporate affiliation: The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The E. W. Scripps Company. Leadership: Judith G. Clabes, president and chief executive officer.Annual philanthropic disbursements: $5 million, not including the commitment to Hampton.Mission: The Foundation strives to advance the cause of a free press through support of excellence in journalism, quality journalism education and professional development. The foundation helps build healthy communities and improve quality of life through support of sound educational programs, strong families, vital social services, enriching arts and culture and inclusive civic affairs with a special commitment to the communities in which The E. W. Scripps Company does business.The E. W. Scripps CompanyHeadquarters: CincinnatiBusinesses: The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations and four cable television networks. Scripps national television network brands include Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY — Do It Yourself Network and Fine Living. Scripps Networks programming can be seen in 25 countries. The company also operates Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, the worldwide licensing and syndication home of PEANUTS and DILBERT, and 31 Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com, fineliving.com and comics.com.Leadership: Kenneth W. Lowe, president and chief executive officerAnnual revenues: $1.4 billion in 2001.