Oklahoma Foundation Provides Funding for First OSU Sports Media Professorship
Foundation’s dual gifts support journalism and KOSU legislative reporting

Oklahoma State University (OSU) Foundation officials announced today gifts totaling a $321,000 from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation to fund an endowed professorship in sports media and to strengthen offerings from OSU’s public radio station KOSU.

“We’re extremely grateful for the support of both of these vital programs and the confidence this gift indicates,” said Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation president and CEO. “The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation supports outstanding journalistic efforts across the country and we are honored to be selected for their philanthropy.”

The $250,000 gift to establish the professorship is the Foundation’s largest gift to OSU and brings its total support for the university to more than $625,000 since 1985. The professorship will serve as a cornerstone for the sports media program, which gained formal approval from the OSU Board of Regents in the fall of 2006. Previous funding from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation helped lay important foundational elements that made the program possible.

“Our program in sports media is one of very few in the country,” said Tom Weir, director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting. “The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation has been a partner in its development from the beginning. The board recognizes the importance to our students and to the sports industry and has been very supportive.”

Funds for the professorship will help the university attract a nationally renowned scholar to lead the development and expansion of the new program. In addition, the professorship will help the program attract partnerships with well respected national sports media outlets.

In a separate gift, the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation provided $71,000 to KOSU to expand the ability of the station to provide coverage of ongoing legislative activity in Oklahoma through the State Capitol Report. Current coverage is limited because of staff and equipment resources.

Additional funding made possible through the gift will allow KOSU to involve more students in producing on-air segments and purchase equipment which, according to KOSU General Manager Craig Beeby, could triple the efficiency of reporters.

“The funding is recognition of the important role KOSU plays in serving the citizens of Oklahoma through its public service programming,” Beeby said. “This will help us provide more resources for listeners in rural areas of the state.”

Edith Kinney Gaylord established the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation in 1982 to support projects improving the quality and ethical standards of journalism. After giving significantly during her life, she formally created two foundations that allowed her giving to continue after her death in 2001.

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