Verizon Makes Gift to Domestic Violence Research and Journalism

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L to R: Gerald Jordan, David Russell, Steve Smith, Ana Bridges, Jim Lampinen, Chancellor Gearhart, Dean Schwab

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –Three professors in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas conducting domestic violence research have received a significant gift from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon. Psychology professors Jim Lampinen, Tim Cavell and Ana Bridges are working to create game-like software to educate 9^th and 10^th grade girls on dating violence. Additionally, the Lemke Journalism Newsroom, also a part of Fulbright College, will utilize a portion of the $84,039 gift to allow university students to continue to experience the field of journalism in a real-world, collaborative environment.

The gift will be formally announced at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in front of the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union. Remarks will be made by University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart, Verizon’s vice president of external affairs David Russell and Fulbright College Dean William A. Schwab. Also in attendance will be Steve Smith, president-South Central region, for Verizon Wireless.

“The programs and projects supported by the Verizon Foundation are of great importance, not just to the university but to our entire community,” said Schwab. “I am grateful for this gift, and I appreciate the foundation’s efforts to bring a critical topic to the forefront of our minds.”

To further reinforce its commitment to the Northwest Arkansas community, Verizon, in conjunction with the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is reaching out to business leaders and community volunteers by hosting a luncheon for domestic peace, an effort planned in partnership with the University of Arkansas. Attendees will hear from a domestic violence survivor; KNWA evening news anchor Neile Jones; Steve Smith; researchers from the Sam M. Walton College of Business; a human resources manager from McKee Foods Corp.; and the executive director of the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In addition to raising general awareness, the purpose of the luncheon is to educate employers, in particular, on the common existence of domestic violence and how their engagement and involvement can help employees make it through a difficult situation.

Companies like McKee Foods and Verizon are taking an active role in promoting domestic violence prevention and awareness. During the past four years, the Verizon Foundation has awarded $21 million to nonprofit organizations to support domestic violence prevention. Through the HopeLine® from Verizon program, more than 7 million no-longer-used wireless phones have been collected and recycled or refurbished to support domestic violence survivors, generating $8 million that has been given to local agencies since 2001, to support programs such as the research the University of Arkansas is conducting. Additionally, Verizon customers can dial #HOPE (#4673) from any Verizon Wireless device to speak with representatives for National Domestic Violence Hotline, where they can receive confidential help.