NEWS

Reese Felts gives $64,000 to School of Journalism and Mass Communication

CHAPEL HILL -- Reese Felts, a 1952 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has contributed $64,000 to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to name three electronic communication editing suites in Carroll Hall, the school's new home beginning in late 1998.

Felts' contribution will equip the editing rooms with computers and state-of-the-art digital hardware and software for students to produce radio news for classes and newscasts.

The editing stations will carry the names of Mack Preslar, Felts and the late Earl Wynn. Preslar was an engineering staff member in the university's former department of radio, television and motion pictures when Felts was a student there in the 1950s. The two have been close friends for more than 40 years. Wynn, founder of the RTVMP department, encouraged Felts to consider a career in broadcasting. Felts took the suggestion, which led to a career of nearly 30 years.

“Mack has been a good friend of mine since our days in the department of RTVMP, and `Boss' Wynn, as we called Earl, is the reason I went into broadcast journalism,” Felts said. “I'm happy I can honor them by naming these editing stations in the school's new home.”

In 1996, Felts contributed $70,000 to establish the Reese Felts Fund, which endowed an annual $3,000 undergraduate scholarship in the school's electronic communication sequence. In addition, two $250 awards are given to high school students to attend the annual N.C. Scholastic Media Association conference, which is sponsored by the school each summer.

“We're honored to have the names of Reese Felts, Mack Preslar and Earl Wynn linked with the school forever,” said Dr. Richard Cole, the school's dean. “Reese had a wonderful career in broadcast journalism, and his generous gifts will help excellent students work toward their goals in the field.”

Felts went to work at WSJS radio in Winston-Salem soon after graduation. Three months later he enlisted in the Air Force. After a short period with a video-production squadron, he was sent to Japan, where he was the noncommissioned officer in charge of special services at Tokyo International Airport for two years.

He became fascinated with television and returned to WSJS-TV after his discharge and soon began directing live local TV shows. At WSJS, he also was a radio announcer, promotion manager, sports network producer and television personality. Felts retired in 1980.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication -- which teaches broadcast journalism, broadcast management, corporate video and related areas -- has a professional emphasis. Approximately 100 undergraduates and three full-time professors are in its electronic communication sequence. School graduates who are broadcast journalism professionals include Sonja Gantt Gibson, reporter and anchor for WGN-TV in Chicago; John Greene, vice president of Capitol Broadcasting in Raleigh; and Draggan Mihailovich, Emmy-winning producer with CBS Sports in New York City.

The school just completed a successful bicentennial campaign and has raised more than $2.5 million of its $4 million goal for Carroll Hall. The school's planned move to Carroll Hall will occur after the Kenan-Flagler Business School moves into its new building and Carroll is renovated.

- 30 -

Contact: Karen Stinneford