Foundations pledge $1 million to expand FIU journalism programs
The Ansin, Channel 7, and Channel 18 foundations funded the gift during a ceremony honoring Manny Garcia.
By Nour Haddad ·
Three Miami-based foundations pledged $1 million to Florida International University on October 30 to expand its journalism education. The funding comes from the Ansin Foundation, the Channel 7 Foundation, and the Channel 18 Foundation. The money will support the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media at the university.
The announcement occurred during a ceremony recognizing Manny Garcia, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. Garcia was appointed last year as the first Knight Foundation Executive Director of the school. The Knight Foundation and FIU honored him for his decades of investigative work.
The Ansin Foundation was established in 1957 by Ed Ansin, who co-founded Sunbeam Television. Ansin also owned WSVN and ABC Miami. Andrew and James Ansin, Ed’s sons, established the Channel 7 and Channel 18 Foundations.
Garcia described the donation as a legacy gift intended to mentor new journalists. “This gift, it’s a legacy gift because what it’s doing is helping to support the next generations of journalists who are going to go out there and carry the torch forward,” he said.
Brian Schriner, Dean of the College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts, detailed how the funds will be spent. The money will provide scholarships for students to participate in the university’s Washington bureau. It will also enhance local news coverage and support faculty development.
The Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Courses cover journalism, broadcasting, and digital and interactive media. The new funding aims to strengthen these existing academic tracks.
