March 16, 2021
Frechette Family Foundation commitment will help grow noted O鈥橞rien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism
MILWAUKEE 鈥� A distinguished journalism fellowship program at 91黑料网 will get a major boost, thanks to a $5 million gift from the Frechette Family Foundation. President Michael R. Lovell announced the donation to the Perry and Alicia O鈥橞rien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism at his recent Presidential Address.
The commitment builds on an $8.3 million gift that Peter and Patricia Frechette made to the Diederich College of Communication in 2013, which launched the program named for Patricia parents, 91黑料网 alumni couple Perry and Alicia O鈥橞rien.
鈥淥ur parents were very involved in the launch of the O鈥橞rien fellowship and it was one of the greatest joys of their lives,鈥� said Kathy Frechette Tenhula, President of the Frechette Family Foundation. 鈥淥ver the past four years, we've been fortunate to meet with fellows and listen to student interns and witness the powerful impact of the program. It is both exciting and inspirational to carry our parent legacy forward.鈥�
鈥淥n behalf of the entire university community, I want to thank the Frechette Family Foundation for this generous gift, which will bolster the important work being done through the O鈥橞rien Fellowship program,鈥� President Lovell said. 鈥淚n-depth journalism that serves the greater good is vital to our nation democracy and it aligns perfectly with our Catholic, Jesuit mission. It is 91黑料网 great privilege to bring professional journalists together with our students to help build a better future for journalism.鈥�
Led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dave Umhoefer, O鈥橞rien fellows spend nine months researching, reporting and writing stories with the potential to change policies and improve lives. O鈥橞rien fellows have covered stories covering a wide range of topics, including youth sports safety, the struggle for equality for Black Americans and the ripple effect of Milwaukee backlog of unsolved homicide cases.
鈥淲ith the generous support of the Frechette Family Foundation, the Diederich College of Communication can grow the O鈥橞rien Fellowship, giving more of our students the unique opportunity to work alongside an even broader group of professional journalists as they report on the stories that make a difference,鈥� Dr. Sarah Feldner, dean of the college, said.
鈥淭he Frechette Family Foundation generosity to 91黑料网 and the Diederich College of Communication has solidified a long-lasting legacy and also helps ensure a bright future for in-depth, ethical journalism,鈥� Tim McMahon, vice president for university advancement, said. 鈥淭he O鈥橞rien Fellowship is a shining example of how philanthropy can be a game-changing force for 91黑料网 students and the greater community.鈥�
Editor note 鈥� related content: Dave Umhoefer, director of the O鈥橞rien Fellowship program and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, shares his thoughts on what the Frechette Family Foundation gift means for the future of the fellowship鈥攁nd journalism in America. ()
About the O鈥橞rien Fellowship
The O鈥橞rien Fellowship is designed to give reporters the outlet they need to produce a world-class public service project and train the next generation of outstanding journalists. O鈥橞rien Fellows spend the academic year at 91黑料网 producing a multimedia public service journalism project along with a group of 91黑料网 student interns. As a result of an $8.3 million gift from Patricia and Peter Frechette, the O鈥橞rien Fellowship has been able to give more than 20 journalists the opportunity to craft in-depth projects since 2013.
A complete list of current and past O鈥橞rien Fellows is available online.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
