CIS Endowments & Program Funds

Bingham Foundation Arts Journalism Endowment Fund (JAT) was established in 1985 and supports a course in arts reporting and reviewing in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications.

Dr. Gifford Blyton Professorship (Comm.) was established in the Department of Communication to honor Dr. Gifford Blyton. Dr. Blyton taught speech and communications from 1948 to 1975 at UK and coached the 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. Dr. Enid Waldhart was named as the first chair in 2003. Dr. Deanna Sellnow, the current chair, is beginning her 2nd three-year term.  Dr. Blyton (now deceased) was honored in 2004 as the CCIS Friend of the College.

James C. Bowling Executive-in-Residence Lecture Series (JAT) lecture series is held annually in the fall and brings to campus a nationally-recognized public relations professional. While here they spend time working with student 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 in 1999 was Harold Burson, chairman and founder of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller Inc.  Each year in conjunction with the lecture an Excellence in Public Relations Award is presented.  For a list of all past speakers go to: http://jat.uky.edu/lectures/bowling-lectures.html; for a list of award recipients go to:  http://jat.uky.edu/lectures/excellence-in-pr.html.

CIS Special Account (College-Wide) can be used to support College awards activities, special events in the College, and other College needs at the discretion of the Dean.

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. For a list of past speakers go to: http://jat.uky.edu/lectures/creason-lectures.html.

Gidel/Lombardo Family Fund for Academic and Program Excellence (JAT) was established in 2006 by the Robert and Linda Gidel and members the Lombardo family. This fund honors their son, Robert (Rob) W. Gidel. Rob is a 2006 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. Because of Rob's interest in sports broadcasting, a sports Journalism lecture is presented annually. The first lecture in was given in 2009. The guest speaker was Bob Costas.  For a list of speakers go to: http://jat.uky.edu/lectures/gidel-lombardo-lectures.html.

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 institute 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 and community issues. The Institute director is Al Cross.  The endowment also allows for the naming of a Tall Grass Farm Graduate Fellowship annually.  The donors preference is for rural female graduate students in CIS but if none are available all students may be considered. 

J.A. McCauley Fund for Academic Excellence Fund (JAT): Funds can be used for travel stipends, tuition scholarships or other student needs as determined by the selection committee. The fund honors the memory of “Mr. Mac” for his 30 years of service to the UK School of Journalism and its students. McCauley is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1984).

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 also support the McConnell Center for the study of outh literature and the annual McConnell Youth Literature Conference.  The Center Director is Dr. Stephanie Reynolds.

School of Journalism Development/Capital Fund (JAT) supports physical improvements of 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. The Center director is Dr. Mike Farrell.

(NEW) Irwin Warren Lecture Series in Advertising (JAT) was created by Pat Mutchler a 1976 graduate of the School's Journalism program.  This fund honors Irwin Warren creator of some of the nation's most successful advertising campaigns.  The fund will bring to the campus annually a guest lecturer. This lecturer will provide both students and faculty with access to thought leaders in the industry and assist in keeping the program curriculum up-to-date on industry issues, meet with faculty to discuss current industry trends and appropriate student preparation for careers in the field.