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A Publishing Mogul's Generous Gift of Gab
"All wish to possess knowledge, but few, comparatively speaking, are willing to pay the price." Juvenal
As a rule, Mortimer B. Zuckerman, chairman and publisher of The Daily News and publisher and editor in chief of
U.S. News &World Report, is not known for being at a loss for words. "I am generally not shy," is how he puts it. He attributes this to his experience as a debater at McGill University in Montreal. Debating was "the best part" of his education, he said, and prepared him for everything he has done professionally.
Now he has made a $2.4 million gift to New York University for an annual debate competition, to be known as the Zuckerman Forum. Mr. Zuckerman never attended N.Y.U. but has been a trustee since 1988. He said the idea for this gift, his largest to the university, grew out of conversations with John Sexton, N.Y.U.'s president, who was also an avid debater and a debate coach.
The competition, which will be held in the spring and be open only to N.Y.U. undergraduates, will award $135,000 in prizes each year for 10 years. Quarterfinalists will receive $5,000 each; semifinalists, $10,000; second-place finishers, $12,500; and winners, $15,000. If the prizes seem generous, Mr. Zuckerman said: "Well , why not? I've been lucky enough. I just wish they had them when I was in school."
This is our message to America’s urban students:
Your Voice. Your Future. Debate.
