Prominent Newspaper Publisher Makes Gift to Bethel University Journalism Program

"Journalism Through the Eyes of Faith" Conference Among Distinctive Features

May 18, 2007, St. Paul, MN—Bethel University in St. Paul has received a substantial gift from community newspaper publisher Eugene Johnson and his wife Kathy of White Bear Lake, Minn., to make the school’s journalism program an exemplar among universities. The funding will create the Johnson Center for Journalism and Communication, whose vision is to develop print and electronic journalists who have solid ethics as well as top-notch professional skills.

Johnson owns Press Publications, a group of monthly and community newspapers and shoppers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has been president of the Minnesota Newspaper Association, the National Newspaper Association, and the Suburban Newspapers of America.

"It is vital to prepare journalists who are professional and credible. Our democracy depends on reliable information," said Johnson, who has structured the gift as annual support perpetuated by an endowment beyond the couple’s lifetime. "Christian universities need to provide training in the fields of media, and we know that Bethel, with its core values and commitment to excellence, is positioned to have one of the strongest programs."

Beginning this fall, the Johnson Center for Journalism and Communication will allow new educational experiences to continue or to be added to Bethel’s journalism major. Added facets will be workshops with media representatives; a journalist-in-residence program; expanded newsroom internships for students; student scholarships; special projects in publishing; and, eventually, a concentration in media management.

A continuing annual highlight will be "Journalism Through the Eyes of Faith," a national conference at Bethel University that examines issues related to the intersection of the media and religious beliefs. The Johnsons helped underwrite the first conference in 2006, which featured renowned journalists such as Wall Street Journal religion writer Naomi Schaefer Riley.

The next "Journalism Through the Eyes of Faith" conference will take place April 16-18, 2008, featuring Ray Suarez, senior correspondent with Jim Lehrer’s "Newshour" on PBS. Suarez has recently published the book The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith, and Bethel’s conference will examine the influence of religion in a presidential election year. The conference is open to the public as well as to students, faculty, and working journalists.

Phyllis Alsdurf, Ph.D., director of Bethel’s journalism program, said the Johnsons’ gift will give Bethel students "a steady infusion from practicing journalists." She added that Bethel brings something unique to training reporters and editors. "Historically, the roots of journalism are based on Christian principles—righting wrongs, doing justice, speaking truth to power. I find that encouraging for a place like Bethel. We can bring that distinctive approach."

Eugene and Kathy Johnson’s gift is part of Bethel University’s Taking the Next Step comprehensive resource campaign, aimed at raising $105 million for facilities, program support, the annual fund, and the endowment before May 31, 2008.