Howard University News October 7, 2011 Howard Announces Samuel F. Yette Scholarship Fund-Tribute to Former Journalism Professor Planned for Homecoming Weekend Today, Howard University announced the establishment of a new endowed scholarship fund in honor of Samuel F. Yette, the exemplary journalist, scholar and long-time university professor who died in January. A formal reception to launch the Samuel F. Yette Memorial Scholarship Fund is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Founders Library on Howard's main campus. The event will include a special tribute period that will start at 4:45 p.m. "The School of Communications is honored to have a scholarship program in memory of our dear colleague, former journalism professor Samuel F. Yette," said Jannette Dates, Ph.D., dean of the School of Communications. "Professor Yette was a man of vision, intellect, and immense character. His skill as a journalist in understanding truth, his ability to analyze truth and to write about that truth was unsurpassed. Sadly, these are missing elements that we find in some of today's journalists. His legacy is the tremendous impact that he had on his students; many of whom years later are now leaders in their respective fields. We are proud that his legacy at Howard will continue through the creation of this program." A pioneer in the early years of the School of Communications (SOC), Professor Yette taught journalism from 1972 until his retirement in 1986. He authored The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America, a seminal work in 1971. With his son, Frederick, he wrote Washington and Two Marches, 1963 & 1983: The Third American Revolution, published in 1984. Professor Yette made an important impression on the lives of his students during his 14-year tenure at Howard. Years after they graduated, students recall seeking out Professor Yette for counsel. "Like many of his former students, I could pick up the phone and talk to him about the stories I was working on or how to survive the politics of newsrooms," said Valeria Russ, a former student who currently works as a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News. "Those of us fortunate enough to have studied with Professor Samuel F. Yette were lucky. We were graced with his presence as a kind and dedicated teacher who truly cared about preparing us for the challenges of the journalism profession." The Oct. 21 scholarship fund program and tribute to Professor Yette will occur during Howard's Homecoming Weekend. Two SOC alumni, Pat Lawson Muse, a television news anchor, host and reporter with NBC4 Television, and Gloria Minott, public affairs director and radio host at WPFW Radio, will serve as mistresses of ceremonies for the tribute to Professor Yette. Many Howard alumni and local celebrities are expected to attend the event. To RSVP, email Carol Dudley at, cdudley@Howard.edu or call (202) 806-5807. Contributions to the Samuel F. Yette Memorial Scholarship fund should be sent to the School of Communications, Howard University, 525 Bryant Street, N.W., Suite 107-C, Washington, D.C. 20059. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.