MIAMI, June 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) and The FIU Foundation at Florida International University (FIU) today announced a gift by Dean Emeritus and Professor Dr. Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver to establish The Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communications.
The charitable investment will position the Center as a pioneering site for the advancement of women in the field of communication -- a unique programming distinction at FIU. The Center's mission is to foster and advance the academic and professional growth of women by supporting the next generation of professionals and giving them the impetus to take on challenges and to pursue leadership positions in the communication industry.
"This gift is testament to Dr. Kopenhaver's life's work as a pioneer in her profession," said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg.
The Center will engage females in a series of workshops, lectures, advisory boards, panel discussions and other activities, to further prepare them for successful communication careers – encouraging them to be future influencers and distinguished leaders of the profession.
Kopenhaver came to FIU in 1973 and rose through the ranks to become dean of SJMC in 2003, a post she held for more than eight years. Over the course of her tenure, Kopenhaver has been instrumental in creating programs and opportunities for students, particularly women. In what has historically been an industry largely dominated by men, Kopenhaver was frequently one of the few women to hold leadership positions and be part of the decision-making process within the communication fields.
"This gift is an investment in the future of mass communication," said SJMC Dean Raul Reis. "As one of the founders of the SJMC, Dr. Kopenhaver has been a tireless advocate for women in communication and this gift helps lead the way for future generations of communicators. We are thankful to Dr. Kopenhaver for her leadership."
Kopenhaver experienced many firsts in her career, not only in the academy but also in the profession. In 1973, she was the first woman president of the Greater Miami Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 1979, she was the first woman president of College Media Advisors, the now College Media Association. In 1987, Kopenhaver was only the second woman in 77 years to receive the prestigious Wells Memorial Key for her work with the national organization of the Society of Professional Journalists. Over the course of her career, Kopenhaver broke many boundaries in her field and understands first-hand the challenges that women face pursuing their careers and passions, even today.
"To support an institution which has been a fundamental part of my life is both a personal and a professional investment," said Kopenhaver, who stepped down as dean in 2011 to return to teaching. "This Center is the realization of my thinking for several years as to how best to make a commitment to support the inventive thinking, research and development in the field which is so critical right now as the industry faces the impact of the digital transformation. My vision for the Center is to also ensure that the SJMC at FIU stays at the forefront in engineering forward-thinking as we educate and mentor women to be groundbreaking leaders in the field of communication."
The Center will officially open at a ribbon cutting ceremony in the fall at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication on the Biscayne Bay Campus.
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Media Contact
Heather Radi-Bermudez
Florida International University
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
305-919-4411, hradi@fiu.edu
School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Florida International University
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) at Florida International University is at the forefront of global and strategic communications education. With more than 2,100 students, 82 percent minority, the school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs in advertising, journalism, and public relations – including its Spanish-language Journalism master's program, the first of its kind in the United States. As one of only 25% of all communication schools in the country fully accredited by ACEJMC, the SJMC is rated in the Top 3 nationally for undergraduate communication degrees awarded to Hispanics. The School's master's program in Global Strategic Communications emphasizes global decision making and has rapidly become a model for other such graduate programs in the country, underscoring the importance of global learning initiatives and international citizenship.
About The FIU Foundation
The FIU Foundation is a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors, whose members play a significant role in the development of the University as a major educational, cultural and economic resource. Through the involvement of the Directors and their contribution of time, leadership and financial resources, the mission of the University is advanced.
About FIU
Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. It has 160,000 alumni and enrolls 48,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of the Sun Belt Conference and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.
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| [Image] | Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver |