The newsroom recently received a new high-tech Cannon camera, various lenses, and a new monitor, thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from Garth Smith and Susan Kirwan (P ’27).

Gator Adviser David Cutler connected with Smith early last month, who saw a recent post about the publication’s success.

“My high school journalism was a profound experience for me, including teaching me how to write,” Smith said. “I won a Quill and Scroll award for photography, and I use my journalism for social media posts all the time.”

Then, Smith asked Cutler, “May I ask what you would do with $5,000? How would you apply it to your program?”

Cutler responded with a request for the new equipment.

The next day, Cutler met with Co-Editor-in-Chief Edan Zinn ’23, also the newsroom’s award-winning photographer, about making the purchases.

From there, Cutler followed up with Director of Development Elizabeth Smith, confirming that the newsroom could receive a restricted donation. Last week, The Gator received the equipment.

“This is a small gift in comparison to what your students and you accomplish,” Smith said. “My family is honored to contribute.”

The newsroom is grateful for the donation.

“On behalf of the entire newsroom, I want to offer the Kirwan-Smith family our sincerest gratitude for the generous donation,” Zinn said. “This new camera and lenses will drastically increase the quality of our media coverage, while also allowing students to use emerging technologies essential for producing digital journalism.”