The Missouri School of Journalism has received a $1 million donation to support journalism education and research for the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Timothy Blair, who gave the donation, is an alumnus of the Missouri School of Journalism. Blair believes his donation will make a big impact.
“Examining journalism as a force of social change in our democracy is an essential academic pursuit,” Blair said. “I’m proud to say I’m making this gift as the first gift of its kind among American Universities.”
Blair’s gift will create the Timothy D Blair Fund for LGBT Coverage in Journalism. The fund will support the faculty and students of the MU School of Journalism in pursuit of understanding the media’s role in shaping perceptions of gender stereotypes.
This gift will help advance journalism education on the LGBT Community according to MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.
“This gift will further advance the MU School of Journalism as the world’s leader in journalism education, research and innovation,” Loftin said. “It is of the utmost importance that our journalists be well informed on a wide range of topics so that they can more accurately report on all important social issues.”
The donation is expected to be fully implemented in a year. Although MU is still finalizing how the Blair fund will be used, current ideas include attracting faculty interested in LGBT Journalism and supporting research for media coverage regarding LGBT issues.
