Temple University has announced that funny woman Tina Fey will be honored with the Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award this fall. A Philadelphia-area native, Fey is the 16th recipient of the award, which honors “successful alumni and media figures, and to raise funds for student scholarships.”
Fey herself is not actually a Temple alum, but her brother and late father are graduates of the School of Media and Communication. Earlier this year, Fey and her brother set up a scholarship in their father’s name for undergraduate and graduate students in SMC who are military veterans that demonstrate financial need.
Fey’s work as a writer, actress, and producer on such projects as “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” were hailed by the university as contributing to her selection.
“We couldn’t be happier to host and honor such an incisive and staggeringly talented writer,” said Dean David Boardman. “Ms. Fey and her family have already given back tremendously to our school, and I’m thrilled to bring her voice and her presence to our students directly.”
Fey has won six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, four SAG Awards, three Writers Guild Awards, two Producers Guild Awards, and a People’s Choice Award. Earlier this year, she acted in and produced the comedy “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.”
Fellow female recipients of the award include Robin Roberts and Whoopi Goldberg.
The ceremony will be held on October 7, where Fey will address students at an exclusive “Conversation with Students” reception.
