Merrill Gives

Merrill Gives $10 Million to Maryland J-School; College Named in His Honor

Philip Merrill, publisher and owner of The Capital in Annapolis and Washingtonian magazine, has made a $10 million gift to the University of Maryland College of Journalism, University President C. D. Mote, Jr., announced Feb. 9. In recognition of the gift, the school will be renamed the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

"For many years Phil and his wife, Ellie, have worked with us to improve the stature and quality of our college," Mote said. "Through this magnificent gift our achievements in graduate programs and professional contributions will lift the Philip Merrill College of Journalism to the ultimate echelon of journalism schools in this country."

Merrill said he is proud to be a part of the success of the College of Journalism. "In a world that’s dominated in large measure by the communications revolution, sound journalistic values and capabilities are more important than ever."

Merrill wants the $10 million funding to have immediate impact. The multi-year gift is not an endowment but calls for the money to be spent over the next 15 to 18 years. It will be used in four major areas:

• Three new chairs in journalism, and other faculty enhancements.

• Graduate-level fellowships, assistantships and scholarships, and undergraduate scholarships, all to be named for Eleanor Merrill; and general student recruitment.

• Upgrading the college’s equipment and technology resources.

• General marketing and outreach programs at the college.

"The main purpose of this funding is to assist the college in achieving national preeminence in the field of journalism, as quickly and with as much distinction as possible," said Journalism Dean Thomas Kunkel.

The funding is the leadoff gift in a $30 million capital campaign aimed at construction of a new, state-of-the-art journalism building.

Founded as a department in 1945, the journalism program was elevated to a College in 1972.

Eleanor Merrill, vice president of Capital-Gazette Communications Inc., was named to the college’s Board of Visitors when it was created in 1983. She has chaired the board since 1995.

The college, with 512 undergraduates and 65 master’s and PhD candidates, also publishes the American Journalism Review, and operates Capital News Service, a daily news wire staffed by students at bureaus in Annapolis and Washington, D.C.

Merrill, 66, a Baltimore native and chairman of Capital-Gazette Communications Inc., is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.