|
Former Clinton adviser makes gift in memory of Ann Devroy George Stephanopoulos was senior adviser to President Clinton when 1970 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire journalism graduate Ann Devroy was The Washington Post’s top White House correspondent. His admiration for her work has led him to make a $25,000 gift to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation’s Ann Devroy Memorial Fund, established when Devroy died of cancer in 1997 at the age of 49. “Ann Devroy was the toughest and fairest White House reporter I knew,” said Stephanopoulos, ABC News analyst and “This Week” anchor. “She knew when she had a story, and she knew when to kill one. She revered the office of the presidency and the role that reporters play in keeping it honest.” The recent gift is Stephanopoulos’ second contribution to the Devroy Fund. He also was among the initial contributors when the fund was created. “We are thrilled at George Stephanopoulos’ generous support for this fund, which has such an important impact on students in our journalism program,” said Carole Halberg, UW-Eau Claire Foundation president. “Ann Devroy was among our nation’s finest journalists, and thanks to the generosity of Mr. Stephanopoulos and others, UW-Eau Claire journalism students can be inspired by Ann’s example to carry on her great work.” Each year since 1998, the Devroy Fund has awarded an outstanding UW-Eau Claire journalism student with a three-week residency at The Washington Post, a scholarship to defray the costs of the residency and a paid internship at a Wisconsin newspaper. The fund also helps support the annual Ann Devroy Memorial Forum, which brings to UW-Eau Claire journalists of national prominence who spend time in university classrooms and give an address that is free and open to the public. Devroy Forum speakers have included David Broder, David Maraniss, Leonard Downie Jr., Gwen Ifill, Karen DeYoung, Lou Cannon and Andrea Mitchell. UW-Eau Claire junior Gina Duwe, Wausau, the recipient of the 2004 Ann Devroy Memorial Fellowship, said she is excited at the opportunities the fellowship will provide. “Everything I’ve heard from past Devroy Fellows has been nothing but extreme praise for the program, filled with great experiences,” Duwe said. “These are opportunities very few students get a chance to take part in during college, let alone their lifetime, so to have a program at UW-Eau Claire like this is wonderful.” Duwe’s fellowship was announced in April when Mitchell was on campus as the Devroy Forum speaker, so Duwe had the opportunity to meet the NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent. “Learning about journalism in
the classroom is one thing, but when prominent journalists are able
to visit campus through the Devroy Forum, we get to hear firsthand
stories and advice from people who have excelled in their field,”
Duwe said. “Meeting Andrea Mitchell last month and talking
with her provided me with a great insight into broadcast journalism
through her experiences and stories.”
|
