"And I believe that good journalism, good television, can make our world a better place."
-Christiane Amanpour

There would probably no journalism student or a good writer without knowing about Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, which is located in the New York city of the United States of America. What's so special about this university? If this is what puzzles you, then you must note that journalism school in Columbia University was set up way back in 1912 and it happens to be the first university school to offer journalism course.

September 25-this is not just a big day to all those who passed out from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism but to all those who missed the chance to step into that school and to those who always kept Joseph Pulitzer (JP) in their hearts. Wonder who he's and why he's mentioned here? Well, Joseph Pulitzer, who is considered as the father of New Journalism, was the person behind this school.

It was with JP's gift money that this esteemed institution was set up on September 12, 1912. JP was a famous journalist of those times who introduced novelty in writing stories. He, in fact, attracted people by writing news stories like novel writing. He purchased St. Louis Dispatch and St. Louis Post news papers in 1879, merged them into one and brought out St. Louis Post Dispatch, which became one of the widely read newspapers during those days. He later purchased New York World in 1883. In order to raise the circulation of this daily, he-for the first time introduced-human interest stories with illustrations.

Offers money to set up 1st journalism school:

In 1892, Joseph Pulitzer offered money to Columbia University set up world's first journalism school. The then president of the university rejected the offer. JP died in 1911 and left 2 million dollars in his will for the university. Eventually, the money was accepted and world's first journalism school was set up in 1912 on the same day.

Pulitzer Prize:

In the year 1917, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism announced Pulitzer prizes to those who were associated with journalism (print and online), literature and music composition. Pulitzer Prize is the highest award in the field of journalism and to any journalist and novelist to get this prize is something like winning the world.

Indian nationals who graduated from this school:

Several Indian nationals approached this university to pursue different post graduate courses in journalism. They include N Ram, who graduated in journalism from this university, and eventually became the chief editor of the prestigious newspaper The Hindu. His daughter Vidya Ram too passed out from this school. NDTV's Barkha Dutt happens to be another alumnus of this esteemed institution.

Andhra Wishesh pays tributes to the father of new journalism, Joseph Pulitzer on the eve of centenary of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

(AW Phani)