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Knight News Releases

Newest Knight Chair Focuses on Innovation in Digital Advertising: 03/12/2010
New Contest Aims to Create Easier Online Access to Government and Community Services: 03/09/2010
Strategies to Increase Broadband Adoption & Use Gain Support: 03/09/2010
Shorty Award Winners Unveiled In New York City: 03/03/2010
Media Advisory: FCC & Knight Foundation Host Digital Inclusion Summit at Newseum on March 9: 02/26/2010

Knight in the News

F.C.C. Plan to Widen Internet Access in U.S. Sets Up Battle

03/13/2010
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing an ambitious 10-year plan that will reimagine the nation’s media and technology priorities by establishing high-speed Internet as the country’s dominant communication network. Readers' Comments

The plan, which will be submitted to Congress on Tuesday, is likely to generate debate in Washington and a lobbying battle among the telecommunication giants, which over time may face new competition for customers. Already, the broadcast television industry is resisting a proposal to give back spectrum the government wants to use for future mobile service.

Knight Commission on InterCollegiate Athletics Co-Chair William E. Kirwan Honored

03/11/2010
NEW YORK, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The TIAA-CREF Institute is pleased to announce William E. (Brit) Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, as winner of the 2010 TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence. This award recognizes leadership and commitment to higher education and contributions to the greater good.

Madeleine d'Ambrosio, Vice President, TIAA-CREF Institute, will present the award on March 8, 2010 at the American Council on Education's Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona to Chancellor Kirwan.

"Chancellor Kirwan brings a collaborative and cooperative leadership style to higher education welcoming all viewpoints," said Stephanie Bell-Rose, Managing Director and Head of the TIAA-CREF Institute. "This coupled with his forward thinking makes him one of the nation's most dynamic and effective higher education leaders and we are so pleased to honor him today."

Established in 1993, the TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award is named in honor of Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, nationally renowned educator and world humanitarian. Father Hesburgh also served on the TIAA and CREF Boards of Overseers for twenty-eight years.

"Father Hesburgh stands as the symbol of leadership of what a university president can and should do," said Kirwan. "To have my name in any way associated with him is the greatest professional honor in my life."

Brit Kirwan has served as chancellor of the University System of Maryland, which comprises 11 universities, since 2002 and previously served as president of the University of Maryland, College Park and The Ohio State University. His ongoing efforts have improved higher education and increased the general public's appreciation for the role colleges and universities play in advancing society.

Brit Kirwan's bio at www.knightcommission.org

Just Published: Place-Based Foundations and the Knight Community Information Challenge

03/03/2010
This brief explores how, through the Knight Community Information Challenge, place-based foundations are incorporating community information needs into their work for the benefit both of their communities and their own strategies and missions. Read more.

Struggling schools will get more teachers

02/26/2010

Teach for America -- the national program that places top college grads in high-need public schools -- will triple the size of its teaching corps in Miami-Dade County, the nonprofit will announce Friday.

The scale-up to about 350 teachers is being made possible by a $6 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. ``We view Miami as a critical community for the country,'' Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp told The Miami Herald Editorial Board on Thursday. ``We know from our experience in other communities, that if we can attain full-scale, we can be a part of truly moving the needle here.''

School administrators across the district welcomed the news. ``We would love to have more Teach for America teachers,'' said Martha Chang, the dean of academic affairs at Miami Edison Senior High.

``If they are even half as good as the two we already have, we'll be set.'' Teach for America corps members are recent college grads from diverse backgrounds. Some have studied education. Others have strong leadership credentials.

UM Video Project Links Miami, Havana