Sarah Min and Matthew Pincus

Daily Illini Journalism Scholarship Fund 

Sarah Min ’93 JOURN, and her husband, Matthew Pincus, made a gift in support of College of Media students with the establishment of the Daily Illini Journalism Scholarship Fund. The fund will benefit undergraduate journalism students who are committed to working at least one semester at The Daily Illini. 

Sarah grew up in Northbrook, Ill., and chose Illinois because she wanted to attend a Big Ten university. She also had the opportunity to visit campus during high school and enjoyed the experience.

Like so many journalism students, Sarah worked at The Daily Illini. “I did everything from pasteup and production to writing,” she recalls. She also worked with Dave Eggers on InPrint magazine, editing special editions. Through these experiences she learned many behind-the-scenes details of how a working publication operates.

She also recalls her education at Illinois being based in reality. The program was designed to teach students about true journalism — about really understanding the ins and outs of the process. She experienced everything from grammar and style to layout and design to hard-core on-the-street reporting.

During her senior year, Sarah decided she wanted to work in magazines. She was encouraged to connect with Charla Krupp ’75 JOURN, who worked at Glamour in New York at the time. Charla told her, “If you really want to do this, you have to move here.” So, after graduation, Sarah moved to New York with several friends. Charla helped her get an interview that summer with Glamour. Ten months later a position opened and Sarah landed the job!

After 20 years experience in magazine publishing, media strategy and technology, Sarah is focusing on what the journalism program can teach students that they can use in the real world — preparing students for real careers in journalism just like she had.

The one thing missing from her time at Illinois was a formal internship program. “Students need to combine classroom education with practical experience,” Sarah said, “and internships can do that.” Her gift will help make that possible for more students.

If you have questions or would like to discuss donation options, please contact:

• Deanne Johnson

  Assistant Dean for Advancement
  College of Media

  217-244-5466
  jhns@illinois.edu