School sets fundraising record in 2010 fiscal year
The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media set a new record for private giving to the school this year, raising more than $7.7 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
The previous record of $6.2 million was set in 2004. Last year’s total was $4.7 million.
More than 1,700 donors made gifts to the school between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. Alumni gave $5.5 million; corporations and foundations combined to give almost $2 million; friends of the school and other organizations contributed more than $200,000.
“Our students and faculty are shaping the future of journalism and media,” said Jean Folkerts, dean of the school. “This extraordinary support from alumni and friends gives us momentum, enables bolder moves and allows us to seize new opportunities for our students and the industries we serve.”
Donors added about $2.5 million to the school’s endowment this year. Endowment funds are invested so the annual income can support programs in perpetuity. Unrestricted gifts – the school’s top priority because they can go to work immediately wherever the need is greatest – totaled more than $3.5 million.
The school announced last October the largest single gift ever to the school by an individual. A $4.1 million bequest from Carolina alumnus Reese Felts is funding an experimental digital news and audience research initiative designed to help news organizations adapt to the new media environment. It will function as a research center that studies products, audiences and communities that form around the news. The gift also funds a distinguished professorship.
The Triad Foundation gave more than $1 million in additional support to the Roy H. Park Fellowships for master’s and doctoral students, which they’ve funded at the school since 1997. More than $1 million from the estate of alumnus John Stembler, combined with gifts from previous years, created a new $2 million professorship in broadcast journalism.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation combined new and existing funds to create a $1.7 million Knight Chair in Digital Advertising that intensifies the school’s focus on the business side of digital media. Carolina is now one of only two journalism schools in the country to have two Knight chairs.
“Individual gifts this year ranged from a few dollars up to a few million dollars,” Folkerts said. “The major gifts rightfully draw attention and raise eyebrows, but it’s important our alumni know that the smaller gifts mean a great to deal to this school. Consistent, broad-based support and involvement from alumni is a cornerstone of any great school.”
Funding for the Hugh Morton Distinguished Professorship, in honor of the legendary N.C. photographer and conservationist, was completed this year.
The N.C. Association of Broadcasters, the N.C. Cable Telecommunications Association, the Hearst Corporation and the school’s foundation joined forces to establish the Wade H. Hargrove Communications Law and Policy Colloquium at the school to honor prominent media attorney Wade Hargrove of Raleigh.
An alumnus established a fund in the school honoring Distinguished Professor in Sports Communication John Sweeney, who leads the school’s advertising program. The fund will help students experience the world, gain new insights and master new technologies and subjects.
Jean Arey established the William Arey International Communications Scholarship Fund to honor her late husband – a 1939 alumnus, co-founder of the Cleveland County (N.C.) Times, and a public information officer with the U.S. Foreign Service.
Gifts from individuals and organizations including Don Curtis, Ken Eudy, the Triad Foundation and the Josephus Daniels Donor-Advised Fund at The Triangle Community Foundation funded the renovation of the N.C. Halls of Fame room in Carroll Hall. The new room showcases journalism, advertising and public relations halls of fame inductees with interactive displays while creating a more useful space for students, faculty and special events.
Barbara Lee and J. Alston Gardner, as well as the Gannett Foundation, provided support for the school’s Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media that brings 12 talented high school students from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. to the school for an intensive one-week summer workshop in journalism and mass communication.
The Sharoky Family Foundation continued support for the Washington summer internship program for 12 students. Catherine Reuhl and Joe Nelson continued support for the school’s spring and fall break trips that allow students to learn from alumni and make connections that can lead to internships and jobs in the future.