STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Texas Center for Community Journalism at Tarleton State University recently received a 25 percent increase in annual funding.

Financial support for the organization, housed on Tarleton’s Stephenville campus since 2020, comes through the Texas Newspaper Foundation, which has renewed its $20,000 yearly pledge, combined with a new donation of $5,000 from the Texas Press Service.

“The mission of the TCCJ is more important than ever,” said TCCJ Director Austin Lewter, a Tarleton journalism Instructor. “We are dedicated to training mid-level professional journalists at community newspapers across the state.”

The TCCJ offers support for almost 400 small-town papers. Created by Dr. Tommy Thomason at TCU and funded by the Texas Newspaper Foundation, it offers free training on a variety of topics vital to small newspapers’ survival.

“Newspapers are the bedrock of the community,” Lewter said. “Without them, democracy and diversity are jeopardized. The Texas Newspaper Foundation has been the center’s main benefactor since its inception. We appreciate their support, and communities all across the state of Texas are enriched because of it.” 

Over the past year, Lewter and contributors from the center have logged more than 3,800 miles in presenting writing and design workshops at community newspapers statewide as well as hosted in-person workshops in Stephenville and Austin. 

For more information visit https://tccjtsu.com.

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.