Honoring our friend, colleague and teacher.

Many of us in the journalism community were shocked and saddened by the recent death of veteran newspaper editor Rich Somerville. He was a tireless educator, futurist and wordsmith who touched many lives as his career led him across the United States.

In memory of his contributions to community journalism and progressive education, Rich's friends and family, in conjunction with the Missouri School of Journalism, have launched the Richard Somerville Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This scholarship, once endowed with more than $25,000 in donations, will be awarded to University of Missouri journalism students who have shown a commitment to innovative journalism and new technologies.

How you can help:

Donate online: Visit http://donatetomu.missouri.edu/ and select "Other" in the drag-down menu of Fund options. Use the site's note section to identify that your donation should go to the Richard Somerville Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Donate by mail: Make your check payable to The University of Missouri - Columbia, and write "Richard Somerville Memorial Scholarship" in the note section of the check.

Mail your check to:
University of Missouri
Office of Gift Planning and Endowments
302 Reynolds Alumni Center
Columbia, MO 65211-2100

Spread the word: Please help get the word out about this scholarship fund by e-mailing this Web address - http://somervillefund.blogspot.com - to anyone who might want to honor Rich's memory.

Thank you for helping create a lasting, uplifting memorial to our wonderful and sorely missed friend.