Contributions
Endowment Campaign
What would a non-profit educational organization be without an endowment campaign. Certainly, to the extent that the National Center for Courts and Media can build a sufficient principal that will draw interest to facilitate its programs, the less the Center would have to rely on individual program grants and the more time the Center staff would have to spend on programs and research instead of fundraising. Your contribution to the endowment would assist in this effort.
Rollan D. Melton Endowed Chair
Rollan Melton was described as the "people's journalist" - an individual who took the time to reach out and teach others. It is thus fitting that his commitment to the education of judges and journalists be recognized in the establishment of his Chair honoring his memory and insuring that his legacy of learning continues.
Who was Rollan D. Melton?
Rollan Melton devoted his adult working life to the field of journalism. During his undergraduate years at the University of Nevada-Reno, he interned at the three major local newspapers and also served on the staff of the University newspaper. In 1957, he pursued his journalism career as the Speidel Newspaper Group's Reno Evening Gazette reporter, sports editor, telegraph editor, public relations manager. In 1968, he became the paper's editor, and four years later, at the age of 35, was named publisher.
Within a year Rollan was named vice-president. Later, during his tenure as president, he negotiated the 1977 merger of Speidel with the Gannett Company and went on to serve on the Gannett Board of Directors
Rollan subsequently returned to Reno and began 23 years of writing his column, authored several boooks and, on November 30, 2001, was inducted into the Nevada Writers' Hall of Fame.
Rollan's career went beyond the journalism field into service on numerous organizations and boards. It was this commitment to public service that brought Rollan to The National Judicial College and election as trustee and secretary on the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1998. In 2001 Rollan was named the first -- and only -- Trustee Emeritus of The National Judicial College.
Why an Endowed Chair?
It was during his service as trustee for The National Judicial College that the concept for the National Center for Courts and Media was created, which brought together the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada and The National Judicial College. In regard to The National Judicial College, Rollan said, "It is the premier continuing education institution for American and International Jurists, and after being a close part of it, I know why." Rollan felt the same passion and commitment to the National Center for Courts and Media and the important role it could and would play in bringing these two pillars of justice together, an independent judiciary and free press.
By creating an Endowed Chair, the work and values of Rollan Melton will live on through the students who benefit from greater understanding.
How can I contribute?
If you are interested in contributing, you please contact Center Director Ben Holden at 775-327-8270.
