News

J-School reaches $100 million milestone in Second Century Campaign

October 22, 2008

Photo/Joe Fornabaio

The Journalism School announced last night that contributions to the school’s Second Century Campaign have surpassed the $100 million goal, which was established when the campaign launched in 2006. The fundraising campaign reached its ambitious goal three years ahead of schedule.

Donors to the campaign have focused on initiatives that significantly increase scholarship aid, attract outstanding faculty to the school, and expand the school’s capabilities in new media. The gifts have already made a dramatic impact on the school, including construction of the 8,000 square foot Toni Stabile Student Center, which had its official opening when leading donors and distinguished journalists gathered at the school for a celebratory event last evening.

The Journalism School’s dean, Nicholas Lemann, has identified three goals for the remainder of the campaign: to increase scholarship aid to an unprecedented level of 50 percent of tuition for all students; to develop a new academic center focused on the coverage of race and ethnicity; and to raise funds for the Tow Center for Internet Journalism.

“I am deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment of the people and foundations who have invested in the school during a time when the profession of journalism is changing so radically,” said Dean Lemann. “This support helps to ensure that Columbia’s Journalism School will continue to set the standard in training journalists with the ethical standards, intellectual depth, innovative spirit, and exemplary reporting skills that are essential to a strong and reliable press.”

Lee C. Bollinger, president of Columbia University, announced at the event that a $20 million commitment from John Kluge (Columbia College 1937)—part of Kluge’s previously announced gift to support financial aid at the University—propelled the Journalism School’s Second Century Campaign past its goal. Along with a recent gift of $4.4 million from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance health and science journalism, the Campaign has now reached $110 million.