Support honors legacy of trailblazing, internationally acclaimed journalist
Boston, MA — October 17, 2019 — The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today announced a $250,000 investment in the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities at Simmons University, honoring the renowned journalist and Simmons alumna who overcame racial and gender barriers to reach the top of her profession.
The Ifill College will use Knight Foundation support for programming and structural improvements that advance excellence in journalism and media education. This includes a new discussion series called the Ifill Forum that debuts Oct. 19. The same day, the college will inaugurate its new Knight Boardroom, in honor of the foundation. Ifill graduated from Simmons in 1977 and received an honorary degree in 1993.
“This generous investment is especially meaningful to us because it comes from Knight Foundation, an organization that is synonymous with journalistic integrity, civil discourse and developing an informed citizenry,” said Simmons President Helen G. Drinan, ’75MS(LIS), ’78MBA. “These funds are a strong foundation for what we hope to achieve through the work of the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities. This investment will help power the transformative learning, faculty research, and student programs that will carry the Ifill College forward.”
“Media, Race and Democracy” will be the focus of the inaugural Ifill Forum on Saturday, October 19, featuring a panel discussion among Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour; Asma Khalid, political correspondent, NPR; Maya Valentine ꞌ19, press assistant, U.S. House of Representatives; and Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor, PBS NewsHour. The discussion will be moderated by Rachel Gans-Boriskin, assistant professor of practice, The Gwen Ifill College.
“The Ifill College is leading important work in the field of journalism education,” said LaSharah S. Bunting, director for journalism at Knight Foundation. “By creating a space that advances discourse around key issues in journalism, we know Ifill College will continue to be a strong program that builds on the legacy of its namesake.”
Ifill College Dean Brian Norman, Ph.D., anticipates imbuing the academic work of the college and future Ifill Forums with socially relevant topics that Ifill explored through her work.
“This first Ifill Forum is particularly special,” Norman said. “It includes a stellar lineup of panelists who knew Gwen Ifill as a friend, co-worker, or mentor, and who drew inspiration from her as a role model for how to ask difficult questions and do good work in the world. Certainly the question of race, media, and democracy is a conversation that matters right now, and as Gwen Ifill herself said, ‘Change comes from listening, learning, caring and conversation.’”
In September 2018, Simmons College became Simmons University as part of a strategic academic redesign. Its undergraduate and graduate schools and programs are now organized into four new colleges: the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities; the College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences (including the School of Nursing); the College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences (including the School of Library and Information Science and the School of Business); and the College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice (including the School of Social Work).
About Simmons University
Simmons University (www.simmons.edu) is a nationally recognized private university located in the heart of Boston. Founded as a women’s college in 1899, Simmons is dedicated to innovative teaching and engaged learning. Simmons University offers the only undergraduate program for women in Boston and numerous graduate programs open to all. Follow Simmons on Twitter at @SimmonsCollege and @SimmonsNews, and LinkedIn, at linkedin.com/school/simmons-university.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.
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CONTACT:
Jeremy Solomon, Associate Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs, Simmons University, 617-521-2324 [email protected]
Roshni Neslage, Communications Officer, Knight Foundation, 305-908-2623, [email protected]
Photograph (top) by Mark Flannery Photography, courtesy of Simmons University Communications.