HKS establishes the Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) today announced an ambitious new fellowship in honor of developer and philanthropist Walter Shorenstein and a name change for the research center endowed by the late Shorenstein in 1986. A gift of $5 million from Doug and Lydia Shorenstein to Harvard University will be used to fund the new Walter Shorenstein Fellowship in Media and Democracy. The fellowship will bring high-profile figures in the areas of media, politics and policy to the Kennedy School to engage with students, faculty, scholars and the public on important issues of the moment.

“The Shorenstein Center was one of my father’s proudest achievements,” said Doug Shorenstein, “and I am delighted to be able to make this gift to honor his legacy and keep his influence alive.”

“We are thrilled to launch the Walter Shorenstein Media and Democracy Fellowship program thanks to the generosity of Doug and Lydia Shorenstein, and look forward to bringing innovative, cutting-edge thought leaders to the Center,” said HKS Dean David T. Ellwood. “The program will be a perfect way to honor Walter, whose visionary leadership drove the center, the Kennedy School, and the nation.”

The Center’s name will become the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, replacing its previous name, the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy. “The name change is intended to recognize the generosity and commitment of the Shorensteins to the Center whose name will now honor the entire family,” said Alex S. Jones, Shorenstein Center Director.