THE CAMPAIGN

$2.5 Million from Sumner Redstone (Hon.’94) Creates Narrative Professorship Gift to COM

Ever since the internet began to lure readers will explore General, in 1954 he joined away from print, pundits have been predicting the end National Amusements, of long-form journalism. But the end, it turns out, is not the power of Inc., which has since grown in sight. In fact, if the popularity of websites like Longform to 950 screens, including .org and Instapaper.com is any indication, long-form is storytelling Showcase Cinemas, Multi- enjoying a new beginning. plex Cinemas, and Cinema At the College of Communication, a new professorship De Lux, as well as IMAX the- made possible by a $2.5 million gift from Viacom and CBS aters in the United States chair Sumner Redstone (Hon.’94) will help, by encouraging and Argentina. the production and appreciation of narrative storytelling. Redstone became a The new Sumner M. Redstone Professorship in Narrative member of the BU School Studies, endowed in perpetuity through a gift from the of Law faculty in 1982, Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation, will support where he created one of a senior COM faculty member with scholarly and teaching the nation’s first courses expertise in the field of narrative studies. in entertainment law. He The yet-to-be-named professor will teach courses also pioneered the school’s exploring the power of storytelling in communicating ideas, curriculum for protecting produce original narrative works or scholarly studies, and intellectual property in the organize gatherings of others in the field. entertainment industry. In “Storytelling in both entertainment and journalism has 1994, Redstone received an always been an integral focus of my business life through honorary Doctor of Laws Viacom and CBS,” Redstone says. “I am so proud to help from BU. inspire others to the field by furthering the conversation In September 2012, he and study of narrative storytelling at one of the country’s gave $18 million to help leading institutions.” expand and improve the Y K Thomas Fiedler, dean of COM, says the function of the S facilities at LAW, including new professorship aligns with the vision that has powered the construction of the Redstone’s remarkable career. new Sumner M. Redstone

“Sumner Redstone famously said, ‘Content is king,’” KALMAN ZABAR Building adjacent to the

Fiedler (COM’71) says. “We define narrative as storytelling Sumner M. Redstone’s gift school’s core facility. For 34 with a purpose, and see it as one of the fundamental skills to the College of Communica- years, he has also sponsored that underpin every discipline we teach. In the media tion will encourage the pro- BU’s Redstone Film Festival, duc tion and appreciation business, the quality of content will always trump methods of narrative writing. a competition showcasing of distribution, which constantly change with the evolution the most promising work by of technology.” students and recent grads of Redstone grew up in Boston’s West End and graduated COM’s filmmaking and screenwriting programs. first in his class from Boston Latin School. He graduated Through the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Founda- from Harvard University in 1944, then became a first tion and personal donations, Redstone has contributed lieutenant in the US Army and was selected by Harvard more than $216 million to charities around the world in Japanese history professor Edwin Reischauer (later US the areas of medical research and education and to arts ambassador to Japan) to join a special intelligence group and entertainment institutions and organizations. whose mission was to break Japan’s high-level military Red stone has also played a significant role in the affairs and diplomatic codes. For his work, Redstone received of the entertainment and communications industries, two commendations from the Military Intelligence Division. serving as a member of the Advisory Council for the He is also a recipient of the Army Commendation Award. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation After working as a law secretary with the US Court as well as a member of the executive committee of the of Appeals and as a special assistant to the US Attorney National Association of Theatre Owners. AL

12 BOSTONIA Summer 2014