About the MJC

The Minnesota Journalism Center was established in 1979 through a gift to the University of Minnesota from the late John Cowles, Sr., chairman of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company, and his wife, the late Elizabeth Bates Cowles.

The Center is housed in Murphy Hall, home of the University's School of Journalism & Mass Communication. The Center is directed by SJMC faculty member Kathleen A. Hansen.

The Center's purpose is to improve the practice of journalism, promote interaction between media professionals and the academy, and serve as the outreach arm of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. To this end, the Center organizes, sponsors or co-sponsors more than 30 events each year, which are detailed annually in an activity report.

The Minnesota Journalism Center also manages the SJMC Conference Center, including all reservations. For more information about the SJMC Conference Center, including reserving it for seminars or workshops, click here.

For information about having the MJC co-sponsor an event, please read our co-sponsorship guidelines.