Media Mogul and Philanthropist Ted Turner Remembered by GW Community
At GW, Turner’s legacy lives on through SMPA’s Ted Turner Professor of Environmental Media position.
The Ted Turner Endowment
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The Ted Turner Endowment
Ted Turner Honored at GW for his Commitment to Sustainability
As the world grows increasingly complex and divided, people need credible, trustworthy information more than ever.
Named in honor of a pioneer in global media and journalism, the Ted Turner Endowment highlights the importance of compelling fact-based storytelling through an endowed professorship at the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA).
Ted Turner revolutionized the way people consume television news. He disrupted and defined an industry. He brought an audacious entrepreneurial spirit to storytelling and global communication. Reflecting his passion for the planet, holders of the professorship will focus on the profound challenges confronting a world where there will be 10 billion people by mid-century and where the effects of the global climate crisis are already being felt.
Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, GW occupies a unique position at the crossroads of media, politics, technology and the arts. Five blocks from the White House, this is where debate takes place and decisions are made. Through the Ted Turner Endowed Fund, we will teach and inspire young people. This initiative will increase public understanding, create a permanent public presence highlighting Ted’s legacy, invest in journalism and benefit students for generations to come.
Impact Areas
This endowed fund is a reflection of Ted’s lifelong commitment to the environment and will build on important environmental and sustainability work already established within SMPA. It is composed of these three elements:
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Ted Turner Professor of Environmental Media
This individual will be a prominent and active journalist, filmmaker or author. They will teach, continue with his/her creative work, and maintain an exemplary public profile. S/he will be a convener and a recognized leader in the field.
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Ted Turner Graduate Fellow
Supporting the faculty position will be a graduate fellow who will provide graduate-level research, project support and design a graduate capstone project that addresses a challenging problem in environmental communication.
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Ted Turner Planet Forward Symposium
There will be a major public event each year, highlighting bold and creative storytelling about the challenges and opportunities confronting the planet. The event will reflect Ted’s legacy.
News Spotlights
Remembering CNN Founder and Media Pioneer Ted Turner
Everyone who studies and practices journalism in 2026 works in the wake of Ted Turner. His commitment to journalism, education, and storytelling that creates a better world for everyone will echo in...
Eli Kintisch Announced as New Ted Turner Professor of Environmental Media
The science journalist and video producer will teach courses that focus on using innovative storytelling to address the climate crisis.
Across the Wards: Diverse Viewpoints on a Common Mission
Last fall, students in George Washington University’s Sustainability Reporting class were sorted into pairs and assigned one of Washington D.C.’s eight wards to cover.
On March 7, 2023, GW held a special event honoring Ted Turner and welcoming John Sutter, the Ted Turner Professor of Environmental Media.
GW Honors Media Pioneer Ted Turner and His Vision to Save the World
GW and luminaries from CNN paid tribute to the trailblazing philanthropist and welcomed John Sutter as inaugural Ted Turner Visiting Professor of Environmental Media.
John Sutter: The Inaugural Ted Turner Visiting Professor of Environmental Media
SMPA is thrilled to welcome John Sutter!
Dana Bash, BA '93, Anchor & Chief Political Correspondent at CNN
"I am beyond honored to support the Ted Turner Endowment Fund. The notion of 24 hour cable news seems obvious now, but that was hardly the case when he invented it. ... His passion is contagious, and scholarship in his name is the perfect tribute.”
Decker Anstrom, Former CEO, The Weather Channel Companies
"Ted imagined and helped build cable television, and reinvented news and journalism on a global scale. He has now brought his vision and determination to confront the climate crisis — and save our planet."
Char Beales, Media Business Leader, Former SMPA National Council Chair
"GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs is the ideal home for the Ted Turner Endowed Fund. It combines an unparalleled media education program with a major voice in Washington with Ted’s lifelong passion for the environment. Together we will ensure that Ted’s pioneering genius is celebrated and remembered in perpetuity."
Some of Our Supporters
Christiane Amanpour
CNN’s Chief International Anchor, Christiane is a fearless and internationally acclaimed journalist who has covered some of the most wrenching stories around the world.
Decker Anstrom
While the CEO of The Weather Channel Companies, Decker introduced audiences to the challenge of climate change. He served in the Carter Administration, and later as President of the National Cable Television Association and as a US Ambassador on international telecommunications issues in the Obama Administration. He now serves on the Board of Discovery Communications, Island Press and Climate Central, in addition to supporting various nonprofits.
Dana Bash
CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent, SMPA graduate, and GW distinguished alumni award winner, Dana has been covering campaigns and Congress in the D.C. area for more than 20 years. In 2017, Dana launched her CNN series, Badass Women of Washington, which features women who shattered glass ceilings on their way up the ranks.
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Char Beales
A groundbreaking leader and innovator as President and CEO of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), Char was inducted into Cable Television Hall of Fame in 2009. Char chaired the National Council of GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs and has held multiple leadership roles at the University.
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Jeff Bewkes
As CEO of Time Warner for more than a decade and Chairman of the Board until its acquisition by AT&T in 2028, Jeff stood at the helm of a media empire whose portfolio, included HBO, Turner Broadcasting (CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network), Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. Jeff is on the advisory board of the Creative Coalition and a Trustee at his alma maters, Stanford and Yale University.
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Julian Brodsky
Media pioneer and co-founder of Comcast, Julian served as its CFO and went on to be elected Vice Chairman. Julian also founded Comcast’s venture capital fund, Comcast Interactive Capital Group, and is an honorary director of the Cable Center.
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Kathy Calvin
Global problem solver and communicator, Kathy led the UN Foundation - Ted’s audacious bet to advance human dignity and protect the planet. Prior to that she was President of the AOL Time Warner Foundation where she guided AOL Time Warner’s philanthropic activities.
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Bert Carp
Widely acknowledged as a senior and respected Democratic strategist, Bert spent 10 years as Vice President for Government Affairs of Turner Broadcasting and served on the executive committee. He has four decades of Washington experience.
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Rick Davis
A CNN original, who has worked at the network since the first broadcast in June 1980, Rick is Executive Vice President of Standards and Practices, the group that assures the professionalism and high ethical standards of everything CNN does. He’s seen the network span the globe - and become one of the most recognized brands in the world.
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Joy DiBenedetto
Joy has spent her career at the merged intersection of global media and social good. She joined the Turner Broadcasting in 1993, with many years of service to CNN Worldwide, inspired by the vision that Ted Turner had that media and information could change the world for the better, bringing our tiny planet closer together.
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Gail Evans
Previously the Executive Vice President of the CNN Newsgroup, Gail was known for being the highest ranking female at CNN. She is currently an author, lecturer and business executive.
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Sam Feist
As CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president, Sam leads all newsgathering and Washington-based programming, including: The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, The Lead with Jake Tapper, State of the Union, and Inside Politics.
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Brad Ferrer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, WarnerMedia News and Sports, Brad is responsible for the financial leadership of CNN US, CNN Digital, HLN, CNN International, Bleacher Report, and partnerships with the NBA, MLB, and NCAA.
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Joan Gillman
Joan currently serves as a Corporate Director of public and private companies. She held various roles at Time Warner Cable/Time Warner participating in the Company’s transformation and monetization of digital cable, video on demand and addressable advertising. After serving COO of Time Warner Cable and EVP of Time Warner Cable for 10 years, she left Time Warner Cable in 2016. Joan began her career in politics working in the U.S. Senate. She earned her Masters at GW and is a member of the SMPA National Council.
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Richard Griffiths
A demanding editor and precise writer, Richard brought his discipline and precision to CNN’s editorial table every day, serving as CNN’s Vice President and Senior Editorial Director.
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Dr. Sanjay and Rebecca Gupta
Multiple Emmy® Award-winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Sanjay is a practicing neurosurgeon at Emory Hospitals, plays an integral role in CNN’s reporting on health & medical news. Rebeca, a lawyer and venture capitalist, is an active member of the Atlanta community. She sits on the Southeast Region Board for UNICEF, University of Michigan Medical Advisory Board, and on the board for the Friends of English Avenue. The couple have three young girls and enjoy sharing with them the love of travel & the understanding of global responsibility.
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Tom Johnson
President of CNN for more than a decade, Tom led CNN’s ground-breaking coverage of the Gulf War and changed the way audiences consume news. Early in his career, Tom served as deputy press secretary for President Lydon Johnson. He was also the publisher of the Dallas Times-Herald and The Los Angeles Times.
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Eason Jordan
Always with a focus on how CNN could get its cameras, reporters, and producers to the most remote corners of the world, Eason helped the network gain access to some of the biggest stories on the planet - from earthquakes in Pakistan to the very first waves of American bombing in Iraq during the first Gulf War.
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Mitra Kalita
Storytelling is in Mitra’s blood. As Senior VP for news, opinion and programming at CNN digital, her role is to creatively share CNN’s content across an ever-expanding platform. She was previously the managing editor for editorial strategy at the LA Times.
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Phil Kent
As Chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting System from 2003 until 2013, Phil held one of the most influential and prestigious jobs in media. He oversaw all aspects of the business - news, sports, and entertainment alike - and led Turner Broadcasting through its digital transformation.
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David & Niki Levy
After joining Turner Broadcasting at the age of 24, David spent the next 32 years building Turner assets ultimately culminating in six years as CEO. David orchestrated a landmark NCAA March Madness deal with CBS for multi-media rights, including exclusive rights four the final four and championship games for Turner every other year.
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Pat Mitchell
A woman who helped define the media industry as a CEO and producer, Pat, has focused her career on using media as a force for social change. With a special emphasis on the representation of women’s voices she was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 2009. She was named one of the Most Powerful Women in Hollywood.
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Tryg Myhren
President of Providence Journal Company, Chair/CEO of American Television & Communications Corporation and Chairman of NCTA, Tryg led the industry’s successful effort to pass the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, which freed the industry from stifling regulation. Tryg served on the board of Turner Broadcasting. He is a member of the Cable Hall of Fame and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame.
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Brian L. Roberts
Brian L. Roberts is Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. Under his leadership, Comcast has grown into a global company uniquely positioned at the intersection of media and technology with three primary businesses, Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky.
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Theodore Roosevelt IV
Investment banker and managing director at Barclay’s Capital Corporation, chairman of the firm’s Clean Tech Initiative, and on the board of several organizations committed to the environment and climate action, Ted Roosevelt is a committed conservationist. It is a passion he’s long shared with good friend, Ted Turner.
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Richard Roth
As Senior U.N. correspondent and longest serving employee, Richard has been on the front lines since CNN went live in 1980. From reporting at Ground Zero after 9/11 to covering the fall of the Berlin Wall, Richard has brought CNN’s breaking news to a global audience for four decades.
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Jim Samples
During nearly 14 years with Turner Broadcasting, Jim served in a range of leadership capacities spanning programming, digital media, marketing, and affiliate sales. He served as EVP & General Manager of Cartoon Network Worldwide.
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Louise Sams
Louise joined Turner Broadcasting in 1993 and was instrumental in its growth, serving as General Counsel and its former President. She is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees for Princeton University. She is an expert in the law and a lifelong learner and global traveler.
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Scott Sassa
Scott is credited with building Turner’s entertainment cable channels into industry leaders, launching seven networks over a seven-year period. He joined Turner Broadcasting in 1988 and finished his tenure as president of Turner Entertainment Group and a member of the Turner Board of Directors and the TBS Executive Committee.
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Frank Sesno
Director of the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs for more than a decade, Frank brought together this remarkable group of people to honor Ted Turner at GW. Frank worked a CNN for 21 years as White House Correspondent, anchor, talk show host, and Washington Bureau Chief.
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Laura Turner Seydel
Daughter of Ted Turner, chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation, and committed environmentalist, Laura is eloquent in her advocacy of sustainable living. She embraces her father’s passion for the outdoors and his concern about climate change.
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Stuart Snyder
Stuart culminated his 13-year tenure at Turner Broadcasting as President & COO of the company’s Animation, Young Adults and Kid Media Division; Cartoon Network, Adult Swim & Boomerang garnering multiple Emmy Awards. In leadership roles with Turner, WWE and Feld Entertainment, Stu supported kids and families through the creation of Cartoon Network’s Stop Bullying: Speak Up initiative, representing Turner as a Boys & Girls Club National Trustee and supporting The Captain Planet Foundation. His honors include Time Warner’s “Andrew Heiskell Business Citizenship” Award and the Anti Defamation League “Torch of Liberty” Award.
Support the Endowment
By Mail
The George Washington University
PO Box 98131
Washington, DC
20077-9756
Online
Make a tax deductible donation.
Over the Phone
Give us a call to discuss how you can contribute: 202-994-3467
Contact Us
For more information about the Ted Turner Endowment, please reach out:
Brendon Smith
Associate Director of Development
GW Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
brendon [dot] smith
gwu [dot] edu (Email Brendon Smith) | 202-994-3467