We, the undersigned alums and supporters of Northwestern University, feel Medill Watchdog has been an important success bringing great credit and acclaim to the Medill School of Journalism. In its short existence, the program has created, in partnership with major professional media, a series of journalism projects exposing institutional misfeasance and malfeasance; has provided mentoring for students, teaching them how to undertake such major projects ethically and fairly; and has provided a model on how such work can continue to thrive in an educational setting. Medill Watchdog is a professional, practical, hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom. The program not only was an invaluable teaching tool, it also became a real force in accountability journalism. The reporting led to real-world changes and jobs for students.There is no finer way to teach the next generation of news gatherers about the importance of investigative reporting than by teaching them how to do it the right way in a real-world setting. We are sure that the ghosts of Dick Hainey and Ben Baldwin, the giants who led Medill to greatness, were cheering Medill Watchdog on from the heavens. We believe this program is of tremendous value to Northwestern and Medill and journalism as a whole, and urge its continued support.