The College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University has received a $100,000 gift from former Board of Governors member Danialle Karmanos '01 B.A. to benefit undergraduate and graduate students in public interest journalism.

Karmanos' gift will establish the Danialle Karmanos Public Issues Journalism Project, a professional program aimed at developing student-driven public issues journalism. The project will fund student work such as documentary films, investigative series, human interest stories and community-based news websites.

"Wayne State is grateful to Danialle Karmanos for providing students with opportunities to create professional and impactful journalistic work," said Matthew Seeger, dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. "Her generosity ensures our students can engage in real-world reporting that benefits our community while gaining the skills required for successful careers."

Faculty members will choose projects from a range of ideas suggested by students. Each project will relate to a critical community issue such as health, fitness, children or the status of women.

"Public issues journalism is vital in an urban community," said Jack Lessenberry, head of the journalism program at Wayne State. "It represents the interests, concerns and perspectives of our diverse population and allows students to find their voice while advocating for their community. We thank Danialle Karmanos for supporting this important work."

Karmanos and her husband Peter have previously supported student scholarships, programs and faculty research across the university, including the School of Medicine, the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, athletics and WDET 101.9 FM, the university's public radio station. As a journalism alumna herself, Karmanos was inspired to permanently endow the Danialle Karmanos Public Issues Journalism Project so that future generations of students can develop their skills. The first projects will be conducted next year.

"I am pleased to support this important initiative," said Karmanos. "Wayne State's journalism program prepares students to be hardworking professionals with a deep commitment to improving our community through truthful communication. I am proud that I can help further this work."

The Karmanos gift is part of Wayne State University's $750 million Pivotal Moments fundraising campaign, which had its public launch last October.

(April 22, 2015)