University's School of Journalism receives $400,000 donation

Leader-post Foundation Inc. (LPF) has donated $400,000 to the University of Regina to help update their journalism program and keep the curriculum technologically current.

“This is a huge deal for the school of journalism,” said University of Regina journalism instructor Mark Taylor. “I don't think there's ever been a donation of this size.”

Jim Toth, chairman of the LPF board until it was wound down, explained that technology has completely changed the way news circulates and how it is produced.

“I was an office boy for the Leader-post back in 1951 when the papers came off the press in the basement and with 84,000 papers delivered daily,” he said, adding that now, news also circulates online and journalists are currently working from home amid the pandemic.

The donation won't be used to buy high-tech gear, but it will help hire instructors who are wellversed in the industry's technological advancements and are willing to further progress the curriculum toward multimedia storytelling.

Taylor explained that although the school already incorporates subjects like photojournalism and documentary journalism into the curriculum, the industry is constantly evolving.

“Journalism is changing quickly,” he stated. “We are using tech that wasn't available two to three years ago.”

Taylor explained that the university wants to hire a “well-respected journalist with a good reputation,” someone who can keep up with digital trends, inspire students, and teach skills that give undergrads “more bang for their buck.”

He also said the university is looking for a working journalist, someone who is currently engaged with the industry and can teach on the side of regular reporting.

In September last year, the LPF board was dissolved and a decision made to disburse any remaining funds to the Leader-post Christmas Cheer Fund, which supports four Regina women's shelters, and to the U of R School of Journalism.