2008 Woodie Awards
World Press Institute officially breaks ties with Mac, seeks new home
The WPI will jump across the river to the U of M campus- for now, at least
By: Matt Day, News Editor
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
Three months after the World Press Institute cut Macalester a $160,000 check and officially severed ties with the college, the non-profit organization has "secured an agreement" with the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, newly hired WPI director David McDonald said.
Founded at Macalester in 1961, WPI brought a group of international journalists to the United States each fall to learn about reporting in a free press environment.
The result was an international network of journalists: almost 500 professionals from 94 countries, with Macalester and the Twin Cities acting as the hub.
That arrangement ended when the WPI paid off its outstanding debt to Macalester with a lump sum payment Nov. 30.
To keep costs low, the WPI will operate without an official home base when the fellows arrive in August. While the WPI hold programming at the University of Minnesota for the first two weeks of the program, the site might not remain permanent. McDonald said the board has looked into obtaining a long-term location for the institute.
"We've had some inquiries made, but nothing is concrete yet," he said.
During most of its 47-year relationship with Macalester, the institute was housed at the International Center at 1576 Summit Ave.
McDonald, a lawyer at the Briggs and Morgan law firm in Minneapolis who has been involved with the WPI since the early 80s, said the board has discussed establishing long-term relationships with the U of M and Hamline University.
"There was a little bit of talk about going somewhere else, but most likely it will remain within the Twin Cities," McDonald said.
WPI Board Chair Ginny Morris said the institute will remain "nimble" for a while, forging temporary relationships with colleges like the U of M.
Programming this fall will center on the fellows covering the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, McDonald said. The convention will run Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Founded at Macalester in 1961, WPI brought a group of international journalists to the United States each fall to learn about reporting in a free press environment.
The result was an international network of journalists: almost 500 professionals from 94 countries, with Macalester and the Twin Cities acting as the hub.
That arrangement ended when the WPI paid off its outstanding debt to Macalester with a lump sum payment Nov. 30.
To keep costs low, the WPI will operate without an official home base when the fellows arrive in August. While the WPI hold programming at the University of Minnesota for the first two weeks of the program, the site might not remain permanent. McDonald said the board has looked into obtaining a long-term location for the institute.
"We've had some inquiries made, but nothing is concrete yet," he said.
During most of its 47-year relationship with Macalester, the institute was housed at the International Center at 1576 Summit Ave.
McDonald, a lawyer at the Briggs and Morgan law firm in Minneapolis who has been involved with the WPI since the early 80s, said the board has discussed establishing long-term relationships with the U of M and Hamline University.
"There was a little bit of talk about going somewhere else, but most likely it will remain within the Twin Cities," McDonald said.
WPI Board Chair Ginny Morris said the institute will remain "nimble" for a while, forging temporary relationships with colleges like the U of M.
Programming this fall will center on the fellows covering the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, McDonald said. The convention will run Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center.
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