Lee Memorial School of Journalism Established (1925)
[An article from the 1925 Alumni Magazine describes the progress of the Lee Memorial School of Journalism. For more info, please visit W&L Special Collection.]
(Lithograph of Robert E. Lee, c. 1860s | Source: Library of Congress)
The institution of courses in the Lee Memorial School of Journalism under Roscoe B. Ellard, employed professor of Journalism, next September will be of particular significance. It will mark the successful completion of the first stage of the School of Journalism campaign and will be a lasting tribute to President Henry Louis Smith, who conceived the memorial and whose ardent labors have brought it to this stage of fruition.
Of deeper significance is the tribute to General Robert E. Lee. The “new” school is a revival of the first school of Journalism in America conceived by General Lee and established by him at Washington College in 1869, but discontinued eight years after his death because of insufficient funds. It is the first of the four professional schools established by General Lee to bear his name. Initial funds for its reestablishment have been contributed by far-sighted Southern newspaper publishers and their friends. Alumni were not solicited. The seven hundred donors who have already contributed gave as a tribute to General Lee.
Arrangements are being made to locate the School of Journalism in the old Phi Kappa Sigma House, or McLaughlin House as it is sometimes known, at the corner of Lee and Washington Streets. A fund for its initial equipment has been contributed by a prominent U. D. C. leader of Greensboro, N. C. Professor Ellard has been employed and students are registering for courses in the new department.
Professor Roscoe B. Ellard comes to Washington and Lee from Beloit College, Wisconsin, where he has been head of the department of Journalism for three years. He is an honor graduate of the School of Journalism and the College of Liberal Arts of the University of Missouri, receiving the degrees of B.J. and B.A. Since graduation he has had much practical experience in reporting, copy reading and feature writing on Chicago, Milwakee and Missouri newspapers. Before going to Beloit in 1920, he was on the city staff of the Chicago Daily News.
The duties of the professor of Journalism will also include the direction of all Washington and Lee publicity. Mr. Ellard is well qualified for this task, having been publicity director for Beloit during his term there. Alumni who have deplored the lack of publicity given Washington and Lee activities in the daily press may be assured that adequate material will be furnished in the future.
It is felt that the new department will grow into a strong and influential branch of the University. The Southern Newspaper Publishers Association will continue to push their drive for funds under the direction of Dr. John S. Cohen, editor of the Atlanta Journal, according to the resolution passed at their July convention. Their committee reported that over $82,000 had been subscribed up to that time. Mr. Ellard and the authorities of the University will actively cooperate with the Southern Publishers committee in their efforts to raise additional funds.