Sports Journalist Pays It Forward

Elida Witthoeft ’79, ’80 MS commits to supporting graduate students by naming Northwestern as a beneficiary of an investment account

As a high school student in Arlington Heights, Illinois, aspiring journalist Elida Witthoeft ’79, ’80 MS had only one college in mind. “The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern was simply the best place to study journalism,” says Witthoeft, who was the editor of her high school newspaper and an avid consumer of print and television news.

Once she was admitted to Northwestern, Witthoeft was faced with the challenge of paying for her education—an obstacle she overcame with the support of her parents and the University. This later inspired her to provide for future Medill students who find themselves in a similar financial situation. “Northwestern and my family helped me, and I want to pay it forward to other students,” says Witthoeft.

Witthoeft—who earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from what is now the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications—chose to direct her gifts toward graduate scholarships after meeting with Medill Dean Charles Whitaker and learning that there is a pressing need for graduate student support. In 2021, she named Northwestern as the beneficiary of an investment account, a commitment that will create the Elida Witthoeft Scholarship Fund at the end of her lifetime.

“We are honored that Elida has chosen to create a legacy at Medill,” Whitaker says. “Her future support will make it possible for graduate students to receive a transformative education and to pursue careers in journalism and integrated communications for years to come.”

A Solid Foundation in Journalism

Witthoeft credits Medill with launching her decades-long career as a print and broadcast journalist. After earning her master’s degree, she was hired by the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago as a news reporter. After eight years at the paper, she joined the then Milwaukee Journal as a sports copy editor. Witthoeft embraced the fast-paced world of sports journalism, going on to cover sports at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, and finally ESPN, where she worked for more than 20 years before being laid off in 2021. At ESPN, she brought her reporting, editing, and producing skills to the network’s flagship series SportsCenter and to ESPN.com. Witthoeft later became senior coordinating producer of ESPNEWS—making her one of the first women to reach this level at ESPN. She also earned three Emmy Awards during her career.

Today, Witthoeft resides in Arizona, where she teaches journalism at Arizona State University. During her transition from journalism to teaching, she began the estate planning process. By designating Medill as the beneficiary of an investment account, Witthoeft is able to secure a future gift to Northwestern while retaining control of her assets. Donors who make this type of commitment can designate all or a portion of their assets in a retirement plan, investment account, or life insurance policy for the benefit of the University. The process, which does not require an attorney, may allow donors to transfer the account assets to Northwestern tax-free.

“Thanks to Northwestern, I had a rewarding career that afforded me the opportunity to save for retirement,” Witthoeft says. “It is only fitting that I give back so that other journalism students can have the same opportunities that I had.”

Create a Legacy of Learning

Elida Witthoeft was given the chance to attend Northwestern through financial support from the University. You can help make a Northwestern education possible for deserving students by making an estate gift. Contact Northwestern Gift Planning at 800-826-6709 or giftplanning@northwestern.edu to learn more.