A new internship program at Coastal Carolina University established through a gift from political commentator Armstrong Williams will give students hands-on experience in broadcast journalism.

CCU and the Howard Stirk Holdings Journalism Foundation Inc. have entered into a formal agreement to establish the Armstrong Williams Broadcast Media Interns Program. Williams, founder and chairman of the foundation, presented a $50,000 check to CCU President David DeCenzo during an on-campus announcement of the program on Aug. 14. In recognition of his gift, the WCCU radio broadcasting room in Brittain Hall will be named the Armstrong Williams Radio Broadcasting Studio.

The program will support experiential learning for eight to 14 undergraduate interns. Chosen via competitive application, the interns will serve during their junior or senior years, moving through coursework and professional development opportunities that expose them to the processes, technologies and challenges of contemporary journalism practice and broadcast media. The interns will develop their skills and career prospects while serving at Williams' TV station, WWMB CW21 in Myrtle Beach.

"We are very appreciative of the support from Armstrong Williams and his foundation," said James Everett, professor and chair of CCU's Department of Communication, Languages and Cultures, where the internship program will be housed. "This gift represents a major contribution to department and University commitments to students and the community. It will allow the department to reach out to capable students and provide them with important learning opportunities in the development of professional media content for a spectrum of contemporary broadcast media. The gift will also contribute directly to student knowledge, employment opportunities and understanding of the role and effects of professional media content."

Williams, a native of Marion, S.C., writes a conservative newspaper column and hosts a daily radio show, as well as a nationally syndicated TV program called "The Right Side." A former legislative aide and adviser to the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, Williams was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the President's Commission on White House Fellows.

"This partnership with Coastal Carolina University represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand opportunities for young people who are our nation's future," Williams said. "It will enable us to continue in the great tradition of South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney, who used his position of influence to create countless opportunities for young people in our state.