Reynolds Foundation bestows gift on MU journalism

The gift is the third largest in MU history.

By Elise Oggioni

Published Aug. 25, 2009

The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute received a $15 million gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation on Friday.

According to a news release earlier this week, this gift is the third largest in history bestowed upon the university. The Reynolds Foundation also awarded its largest gift, a $31 million grant used to establish the institute five years ago.

"RJI is poised to be one of the leaders in defining what form journalism will take in the 21st century and beyond," Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Chairman Fred W. Smith said in a news release.

He also said an original grant made in 2004 allowed the university a state-of-the-art physical home and allowed them to establish the programs offered within the Institute.

"This latest commitment will assure operation of the programs under the leadership of Dean Mills and Pam Johnson for another five years," Smith said in the release.

The dedication of the Reynolds Institute coincided with the journalism school's centennial celebration in September 2008. MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said the Institute has shown its potential in its first year of operation.

"This gift from the Reynolds Foundation makes it possible for us to pursue our dream of an institute that supports democracies around the world by developing and testing 21st century models and technologies of journalism to serve civil society," Deaton said in a news release.

Reynolds Institute Executive Director Pam Johnson said she is looking forward to continuing the RJI mission, which is to grow and develop ideas that can potentially alter the future of journalism, with help from this recent gift.

"The new Reynolds Foundation gift revalidates our mission," Johnson said. "Our incoming class of Donald W. Reynolds Fellows will focus on new media platforms, and we look forward to seeing them bring forth new important developments for journalism. We want to tell the industry our doors are open and we're ready to do business."

RJI works with many corporate partners including Apple, Adobe and AT&T, Inc. to create new products. The institute also conducts major industry research, participates with leading industry organizations and helps to develop promising start-ups for businesses. RJI provides many starting funds for entrepreneurial projects aimed at sustaining journalism.