Clem Endowment Gift Expands Internship and Career Pathways for Media, Film, and Journalism Studies Students
“Thanks to the Clem fund, some of the financial burden was alleviated, and I had a great summer learning how to coordinate with local media outlets, writing press releases, and creating social media content. I’m grateful for the Clem fund and thrilled that more students will be able to benefit from it in the future.” – Julia Dacey, BA ’18
For many University of Denver students, internships are a crucial bridge between education and employment, paving the way for career paths and countless opportunities. The late Lance Clem (BA ’72), a passionate advocate for student internships and a former longtime spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Safety, understood this well. Since his graduation as a DU strategic communications major, his department — now known as Media, Film, and Journalism Studies (MFJS) — has required academic credit internships for all its students. While these internships provide invaluable professional experience, they can present financial challenges, particularly when they are unpaid or involve relocation or travel.
To relieve these challenges, the Clem estate established an endowed fund to help cover student internship costs. Recently, Clem’s partner, Douglas Tippin, MD, PhD, contributed an additional $1 million to enhance this endowment. Tippin’s gift underscores his dedication to DU, experiential education, and equipping students to learn how to confidently tackle media misinformation, disinformation, and unverified stories.
“Truth takes money, time, and resources,” Tippin explained, emphasizing the importance of addressing the financial aspect. “As the saying goes, ‘A lie will travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.’ This feels like an accurate depiction of our current environment, and in a small way, this gift may help the truth catch up.”
MFJS Chair and Professor Derigan Silver praised Tippin’s generosity and personal engagement with the program. “Doug is remarkable not only for his generous gift but also for his genuine friendship and involvement with the program and its students. He takes the time to meet with them, share meals, and show a sincere interest in their lives and career aspirations, despite his own career being in medicine. The impact of Doug’s gift is incredible and lifelong, enabling students to pursue opportunities they might not have otherwise. His vision to grow the endowment to $2 million will further amplify its impact once that goal is achieved.”
Recipients of the Clem Endowment grants have secured internships across a variety of industries, including magazine publishers, PR firms, production houses, film festivals, non-profits, K-12 schools, NGOs, and other organizations. These experiences span cities such as New York, Chicago, LA, and Denver, and even international destinations like Cambodia.
Professor Erika Polson, the MFJS director of internships, highlighted the broader impact of Tippin’s gift. “It enables more students to pursue summer internships. Without the grant, they’d have to cover an additional summer tuition credit charge. And even though an increasing number of internships are paid, the Clem Endowment also makes it possible for students in paid internships to qualify for funding for related expenses.”
Internships, a cornerstone of experiential education, are a vital part of DU’s 4D Experience. This unique approach to higher education emphasizes four key dimensions: deepening intellect, developing well-being, discovering character, and designing careers and lives of purpose. By addressing these dimensions, DU fosters holistic student development, helping students grow intellectually while cultivating their sense of character, well-being, and purpose.
To learn more about Media, Film, and Journalism Studies, the Lance C. Clem Endowment, or other gift opportunities, please contact Tonya Kelly, MNM, MLS, CAP®, Senior Director of Development, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences: 303.871.7839 or Tonya.Kelly@du.edu.
