College Endowments and Program Funds
Bingham Foundation Arts Journalism Endowment Fund (JAT) was established in 1985. Money from this fund supports a course in arts reporting and reviewing.
Dr. Gifford Blyton Professorship (Comm.) was established in the Department of Communication to honor Dr. Blyton. Dr. Blyton taught speech and communications from 1948 to 1975 and coached the university's debate team for 21 years. This gift was made possible through the efforts of several of his former students. Stanley Craig, a 1966 graduate of UK, took the lead in this effort. Money from the endowment is used to support public speaking, oral communication education and research. Presently, the endowment totals almost $395,000 including an equal match from the state through the Research Challenge Trust Fund III. Dr. Enid Waldhart was named as the first chair in 2003. Dr. Deanna Sellnow is the current chair recipient. In 2004, Dr. Blyton was honored as the Friend of the College by CCIS.
James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence Lecture Series (JAT) lecture series is held in October each year. It brings to campus a nationally recognized public relations professional. While here they spend time working with students groups; consulting with faculty and administrators on current PR tactics and business trends; visiting with area public relations firms and other community professionals. The inaugural event speaker was Harold Bursen, chairman and founder of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller Inc.
Joe Creason Lecture Series Fund (JAT) was established in 1975 in memory of Joe Creason, an honored alumnus and a distinguished journalist. Each year a journalism professional is brought to campus to present the annual Creason Lecture.
Gidel/Lombardo Family Fund for Academic and Program Excellence (JAT) was established in 2006 by the Robert and Linda Gidel and the Lombardo family. This fund honors their son, Robert (Rob) W. Gidel. Rob is a ’06 graduate of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Funds from the endowment may be used to support scholarships, internships, workshops, distinguished alumni lectures, student travel, seminar speakers, publications, to provide assistance to extracurricular student organizations and clubs, student recruitment, and other related activities.
Graduate Student Development Fund (Graduate Program) funds graduate scholarships, travel expenses and other student needs.
Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues (JAT) was established in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications in 2004. The Institute’s most public face is the Rural Blog, a digest of events, trends, and issues in journalism in rural America. The Blog is published Monday through Friday. The Institute also holds national conferences and partners with several institutions to develop its programs, to expand its outreach activities, and to develop a clearinghouse for curricula related to rural journalism. The Institute has received a $1.5 match from RCTF funds and is now in the process of raising the $1.5 million to support its activities.
Anne Y. McConnell Fund (SLIS) was established in 1988 and is used to provide for the enrichment of programs of the School of Library and Information Science, particularly in the field of children’s literature and services. Funds are used to support the McConnell Center for Youth Literature and the annual Youth Literature Conference.
School of Journalism Development/Capital Fund (JAT) supports physical improvements for the student facilities in the Grehan Building, student equipment and other facility needs.
School of Library and Information Science Director’s Fund for Excellence (SLIS) supports technology enhancement needs, student and alumni events, faculty support for educational and enhancement opportunities, collaborations, and support of student travel to professional conferences.
Scripps Howard First Amendment Center Fund (JAT) funds activities that support the First Amendment. The Center hosts various lectures and public debates on those issues. Scripps Howard made a $250, 000 pledge in 2006 in support of the Center’s activities.
Enid Waldhart Emergency Fund (Graduate Program) was created to honor Professor Enid Waldhart. She retired from the College in June 2007. The fund provides support to graduate students in the Graduate Communication Program with emergency needs.
Richard G. Wilson Alumni Speakers and Symposia Fund (JAT) was established by Wilson while he was the acting director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. It supports three programs a year in each area of the School that brings back alums to share their expertise and experiences with our students.