The School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University mourns the passing of broadcasting and journalism pioneer Ted Turner. SMPA celebrates Ted Turner's legacy through an endowment in his honor: the Ted Turner Endowed Professor of Environmental Media. This groundbreaking professorship supports a respected environmental journalist, storyteller, and educator. Since 2022, our students have been inspired by Turner’s legacy through hands-on classroom experiences with the Turner professors.
The fund also supports an annual lecture featuring a conversation with an esteemed guest about the state of journalism and how Turner’s approach to storytelling continues to shape the media landscape. This endowment was guided by the same principles that shaped Turner’s professional and personal passions: a willingness to take risks and be creative in the pursuit of fact-based, ecologically-minded storytelling.
Everyone who studies and practices journalism in 2026 works in the wake of Ted Turner. He changed how news is produced, consumed, and studied. His commitment to journalism, education, and storytelling that creates a better world for everyone will echo in our classrooms for generations to come.
We mourn Ted Turner’s passing, and we are committed to keeping his vision and legacy alive.
Learn more about Ted Turner's legacy in SMPA here.
Peter Loge
Director, School of Media and Public Affairs