Help underwrite White video; get matching gift

William Allen White, at his home at Red Rocks in Emporia.

An effort has been initiated  to raise $200,000 to underwrite the costs of a video on the life of Kansas’ most famous journalist, William Allen White, known as the Sage of Emporia.

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.

To assist in the effort, the Kansas Newspaper Foundation Board of Trustees has authorized a $20,000 matching gift program through the KNF. 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 recipient of gifts will be the William Allen White Foundation, coordinated through the KU Endowment Association.

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; Beverley Buller, a Newton author who wrote a children’s book: “From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White,” and Doug Anstaett, KPA executive director. The filmmakers are Kevin Wilmott 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.

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

To read an excellent article on White's life, go here.

To view a Youtube video produced by the Kansas State Historical Society, go here.