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February 29, 2000

Miller Lite First Amendment Open Committee announce endowments

Two new $1,000 endowments have been funded by the Miller Lite First Amendment Open Committee to support the journalism program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Both endowments will provide funds for faculty development and research said Richard Baxter, executive director of the committee.

The Christine and Frank Elkins, Jr., Faculty Development Fund is named in honor of the owner of Choice Brands, the Miller Beer distributorship in Monroe. Elkins provided the primary sponsorship for the Miller Lite First Amendment Open golf tournament during its 20-year existence. More than $160,000 was raised to support ULM's journalism program through the efforts of Elkins and his family.

"Without Mr. Elkins none of the financial contributions which have helped the journalism program would have been possible. The University and its students will always be indebted to him and his entire family," Baxter said.

The second endowment, the Hope and Robert Carroll Faculty Development Fund, honors the two distinguished journalism educators. Hope Carroll was a statewide leader in scholastic journalism before joining the faculty at ULM, where she again gave noteworthy service to her students. Robert Carroll, besides serving as public affairs director for ULM, taught courses in the journalism program. He is credited with keeping the journalism program alive during a turbulent period in the early 1970s.

"Thousands of young journalists were touched by the extraordinary talents of these two journalism educators. The profession was well-served by the students who were trained by Hope and Bob," said Baxter.

In addition to the $20,000 donated to fund the new endowments, the Miller Lite First Amendment Open committee contributed $1,000 to the Charles McDonald Scholarship Fund. McDonald is retiring from ULM after serving 30 years in student affairs, most recently as Dean of Student Affairs.

"Words are inadequate to express the appreciation the journalism program has for C-Mac. For 20 years he worked tirelessly during the Miller Lite First Amendment Open golf tournament to help us raise the money for the students and faculty," said Baxter.

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