Department of Journalism

Snedden Chair

Through a generous donation to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Helen Snedden endowed a chair of journalism in her husband's name. Charles Willis "Bill" Snedden knew a good story when he saw one and built his life and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner around telling them. He came to Fairbanks in 1948 to evaluate the News-Miner for then-owner Cap Lathrop. Snedden liked what he saw about the potential of the newspaper and this community. Two years later, he bought the Interior daily.

Bill Snedden died in 1989, but his legacy continues six decades and thousands of editions of the News-Miner later.

Several years ago, the late publisher's wife, Helen Snedden, reflected on how her husband would take young reporters and editors and show them the value of a well-told story, or take them to task for a poorly written one. She resolved to continue Bill's legacy as an educator and set up the Snedden Endowed Chair of Journalism at UAF.

The roster of past Snedden lecturers includes some of the most accomplished reporters in the country including five Pulitzer Prize winning journalists with two more on tap for the fall of 2006

It is the greatest gift given to this department and an even better opportunity for students.

Snedden Mini-site with interactive timeline of previous and current Snedden Chairs will be available in early Fall 2006.

Snedden Lecture Series Videos are available now - please follow this link.


	Snedden Chair Through a generous donation to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Helen Snedden endowed a chair of journalism in her husband's name. Charles Willis "Bill" Snedden knew a good story when he saw one and built his life and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner around telling them. He came to Fairbanks in 1948 to evaluate the News-Miner for then-owner Cap Lathrop. Snedden liked what he saw about the potential of the newspaper and this community. Two years later, he bought the Interior daily. Bill Snedden died in 1989, but his legacy continues six decades and thousands of editions of the News-Miner later. Several years ago, the late publisher's wife, Helen Snedden, reflected on how her husband would take young reporters and editors and show them the value of a well-told story, or take them to task for a poorly written one. She resolved to continue Bill's legacy as an educator and set up the Snedden Endowed Chair of Journalism at UAF. The roster of past Snedden lecturers includes some of the most accomplished reporters in the country including five Pulitzer Prize winning journalists with two more on tap for the fall of 2006 It is the greatest gift given to this department and an even better opportunity for students. Snedden Mini-site with interactive timeline of previous and current Snedden Chairs will be available in early Fall 2006. Snedden Lecture Series Videos are available now - please follow this link.