College of Media

Students, of course, are at the heart of the Brilliant Futures capital campaign. The College of Media is focused on three campaign priorities: ensuring that talented students have access to an Illinois education, helping faculty be the best educators they can be in the classroom and top researchers in their fields, and providing high-quality learning environments in which students and faculty can flourish. The College greatly appreciates the continued support of alumni and friends.

Alumni, friends and faculty are already making a difference

Mike Wallace honored as first recipient of the Illinois Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
Many of the legendary figures from "60 Minutes," along with prominent University of Illinois officials and alumni, assembled in New York City on Oct. 13, 2007, for the inaugural award of the Illinois Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism. The Illinois Prize recipient is selected by the faculty in the University of Illinois Department of Journalism to honor "work that consistently served as a beacon for other journalists, set the highest standards of excellence in the field, and placed the public good and public awareness before all else," as explained by Walt Harrington, department head. A highlight of the event was when Wallace donated the $10,000 prize back to the journalism department to purchase high-definition cameras and equipment. His generosity spurred a flurry of matching support. In total, $60,000 is being directed toward the purchase of needed new equipment for use by our faculty and students.

Curriculum remains cutting-edge with New Media course
Professor Lisa Nakamura is developing a series of innovative New Media courses, which will debut in Spring 2008. These courses will enrich the College's curriculum with the latest research on new and emerging media and its impact on the way information is shared. Topics will include Internet history; virtual communities; software infrastructure and design; the impact of digital media on radio, television and film; and digital games. Courses will range from introductory undergraduate lectures to graduate seminars in new media theory and history.

Tony Petullo makes leadership gift
Tony Petullo's $1.6 million gift to the University includes a professorship and two fellowships for the College of Media in the Department of Advertising. He is also supporting the College of Fine and Applied Arts and student leadership development at the campus level.

Advertising great lives on through legacy gift
Advertising is a storied program at the University of Illinois. The historical significance alone makes it prestigious, but the vision and leadership of Charles Sandage, S. Watson Dunn and Kim Rotzoll brought prominence to the program and made it one of the best in the country. One example of how this legacy lives on is through the S. Watson and Elizabeth S. Dunn Fellowship. The most recent recipient is Katherine Sredl, a doctoral student whose research looks at Croatia — where she has family ties — and how consumption and advertising were affected in a transforming economy. This fellowship gives Sredl the opportunity to focus solely on her dissertation for the next semester, without having to juggle a teaching schedule at the same time.

To keep track of the University's progress in the campaign, please visit www.brilliantfutures.illinois.edu. For more information about giving opportunities, news and events in the College, please call us at (217) 333-2350. Alumni, look for the semiannual Alumni News in your mailbox and our new e-newsletter (coming in February 2008).