Centennial of Journalism and Mass Communication at Carolina

The school commemorating 100 years of journalism education at Carolina with special events during 2009 and 2010.

Tom Bowers, who retired from the school in 2006, has written a history of the school based on his scouring of the University’s archives and interviews with alumni, faculty and administrators. He uncovered the stories that trace Carolina journalism’s rise to prominence from a single course taught by Edward Kidder Graham in 1909 in the Department of English.

Horace Carter, a 1943 graduate of the school and a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor, made a $25,000 gift to the school enabling Bowers’ history to be published.

The centennial observance will begin in fall 2009, 100 years after the first journalism course was taught at Carolina. Bowers will deliver the Gladys Hall Coates University History Lecture; the University Libraries will host an exhibit in Wilson Library of text, photographs and artifacts that chronicle journalism history at Carolina.

The school is developing a Carolina journalism centennial Web site that will archive papers, photographs, memories and memorabilia relating to journalism education at Carolina.

Alumni and friends who have materials or stories to share are encouraged to contact Bowers at tbowers@email.unc.edu.