From Our Archive
Sept.
9, 2002
Scripps Howard Foundation, Hampton University open new school of journalism and communications
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 Company
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.
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.
Contact: Mark
Kroeger, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3827, mwkroeger@scripps.com