William Allen White video drive kicks off

A committee of interested persons is kicking off an effort to raise $200,000 to fund a video on the life of Kansas’ most famous journalist, William Allen White, known as the sage of Emporia..

To assist in the effort, the Kansas Newspaper Foundation Board of Trustees has authorized a $20,000 matching gift program through the KNF.

The recipient of gifts will be the William Allen White Foundation, coordinated through the KU Endowment Association.

KNF will match up to the first $1,000 of a contribution from those with a Kansas Press Association affiliation, such as current and retired members and inductees in the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame.

The project is an effort to commemorate the life and times of Kansas’ most famous journalist in time for the 150th anniversary of White’s birth in 2018.

Dave Seaton, former publisher of the Winfield Daily Courier, is leading a group which includes Paul Stevens, retired AP executive; Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism at KU; Murrel Bland, a KNF trustee; Pete Stauffer, retired newspaper executive; Roger Heineken, Emporia State University; Tom Eblen, retired University Daily Kansan general manager; and Beverley Buller, a Newton author who wrote a children’s book: “From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White. The filmmakers are Kevin Willmott and Scott Richardson.

Make the check payable to KU Endowment - Journalism and designated for the WAW film. Also note the KNF’s matching gift program and send to:

Gift Processing Department
KU Endowment
P.O. Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928