Though he owns the nation's largest newspaper empire,* Samuel Ir Newhouse, 69, is often criticized as a crass financier whose only concern is his profit, who has done little to improve the quality of his often mediocre papers. But at Syracuse University last week, Press Lord Newhouse (TIME cover, July 27, 1962) drew himself up to his full 5 ft. 3 in. and watched as President Johnson inaugurated a handsome new building that will testify to Sam Newhouse's concern for quality in the press long after his critics' cries have faded.
After the President explained U.S. actions in Viet Nam (see THE NATION), visitors got their first look at the concrete and glass cruciform structure designed by I. M. Pei to be the first of three buildings in Syracuse University's Newhouse Communications Center—a $15 million gift from Sam. The new building will house the School of Journalism in superbly equipped surroundings. In two experimental underground classrooms, students will answer examination questions by pushing buttons and a computer instantly totes up their scores. Other rooms are set up like regular city rooms, complete with wire-service Teletype machines. Construction will start within a year or so on a radio and TV building and a journalism library. When the entire complex is finished in 1970, said Syracuse University Chancellor William Tolley, the Newhouse gift will have built the world's most modern communications school.
* Nineteen dailies with a combined circulation of 5,800,000. He also owns Conde Nast (Mademoiselle, Vogue, House & Garden) and five television stations.