Latest news with #JimDavidson
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Dartmouth Given $34 Million For A New Institute For Global Security
Dartmouth College has announced that it will launch the Davidson Institute for Global Security, which will feature several programs focusing on a wide range of international security and defense topics. Initial funding for the institute has come from a collection of private gifts totaling $34 million from more than 20 alumni and parents. Included in those donations is a multi-million lead gift from the Jim and Julia Davidson family. Jim Davidson is one of the original co-founding partners of Silver Lake, a major private equity firm focused on technology investments. While neither of the Davidsons is a Dartmouth alum, their three children all attended the school. Dartmouth anticipates that the program will prepare its graduates for leadership jobs in the governmental policy, defense and security sectors, helping address pressing workforce needs in important security fields. As one example, the U.S. is projected to be losing more than a third of its nuclear security workforce in the next five years. The Davidson Institute for Global Security is an outgrowth of Dartmouth's Initiative for Global Security, a four-year pilot program for which the Davidsons had provided early seed funding. It will focus on undergraduate education, providing students with both relevant course work and real-world, practical experience through internships, national and international travel experiences, and access to global thought-leaders via a new speaker series and Dartmouth's international security forum held annually in Washington, DC. Through such programming, students will be exposed to policymakers, journalists, foreign service officers, military officers, and other key policymakers. The institute, in collaboration with the Tuck School of Business and the department of economics, will enable students and faculty to explore the intersection of security and business and will also serve as the organizational umbrella for existing Dartmouth programs in several policy areas. An example is the recent International Security and Economics pilot program, where students and faculty study the relationships of security challenges to economics and business. It will also house Dartmouth's War and Peace Fellows, which annually brings 80 undergraduate students together from multiple disciplines to learn how social, political, moral, and technological factors affect a wide range of topics such as international conflict, human rights, terrorism, military policy, and climate change. In addition, the institute will host the E. John Rosenwald Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, named in honor of a former chair of the Dartmouth Board of Trustees. That program is focused on international history and security, supporting leading young scholars from all disciplines to come to Dartmouth to work on research in areas such as the environment, health, and human development. Rosenwald's friends and classmates raised $12 million to endow the program which was named for him in 2021 in recognition of his 70 years of leadership and service to Dartmouth. Daryl Press, professor of government at Dartmouth and the faculty director for its Initiative for Global Security pilot, will serve as the institute's inaugural director. Included among the faculty who will be associated with the institute are: Press told me that about 20 Dartmouth faculty are currently involved with the institute, spanning areas like political science, economics, history, and engineering. He expects more disciplines to be represented in the future. According to Press, a distinctive feature of the institute is that it will promote 'rigorous, politically nonpartisan research on today's most momentous, complex issues' such as China's rise as a superpower, the changing military balance in Asia, nuclear proliferation, prospects for peace in the Russian-Ukraine war, violence against civilians during military conflicts, the control of new dangerous technologies, disruptions to the global trade system, and changes in U.S. foreign policy. Press said that institute faculty will also continue to influence national and international policy through research-based consultation and advising with senior officials at the U.S. National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Department of State, as well as intelligence agencies and senior policymakers at NATO and in allied countries. In a recent interview, Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock told me that she envisions the Davidson Institute extending Dartmouth's traditional strengths in preparing students for future leadership roles. 'The rigorous, nonpartisan scholarship being done by our faculty is key to helping students learn how to navigate an increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape,' she said. 'We will focus on issues, rather than political stances, and we will teach students how to think, not what to think.' The $34 million in private funds will be used to endow the various components of the new institute. Current plans do not call for the addition of any new undergraduate majors or a major expansion of the number of students in the programs. Instead, the emphasis will be on enhancing student opportunities and increasing the quality of the small-group interactions that both Press and Beilock believe are hallmarks of a Dartmouth education.
Agriland
14-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘Wrap It Yellow' this silage season for childhood cancer
With the silage season now underway, farmers are being asked to go yellow when wrapping their bales this year as part of the 'Wrap It Yellow' for childhood cancer campaign. The campaign encourages farmers to use yellow silage wrap to raise awareness and funds to support families affected by childhood cancer. The monies raised will be donated to the following two charities: Aoibheann's Pink Tie; Barretstown. The initiative has been launched in partnership with the following companies: Rhino Products Ltd; Trioworld; The Irish Farm Film Producer group (IFFPG) Participating retailers; Agriland. The Yellow Wrap is manufactured by Trioworld and the charity initiative is being led by Rhino Products. For every roll of yellow silage wrap sold, €4 will be donated to the two chosen charities, with contributions towards the €4 coming from Rhino Products, Trioworld, the Irish Farm Film Producer Group (IFFPG), and the retailer supplying the roll. This year's 'Wrap It Yellow' for childhood cancer campaign was officially launched in April at the McCabe Feeds open day in Canningstown, Co. Cavan. Commenting on the initiative, Damien McCabe of Rhino Products Ltd said: 'We hope the campaign can raise much-needed funds for the two charities. 'We're launching this yellow wrap and it will be available countrywide. We are asking all merchants and co-ops to take it in and we have a list of vendors available on our website. 'We're hoping over the next couple of weeks with a bit of momentum now, more co-ops and merchants will come on board and stock the wrap. 'The way I look at it is the yellow bales are raising awareness for the campaign, but we need people who might not be wrapping bales to donate, and if we can get momentum on that and can get everyone through the country behind it, we can raise money that is badly needed for the two charities.' Jim Davidson of Trioworld said: 'Roughly eight years ago, we started to produce some coloured films for charity, pink for breast cancer, blue for prostate, and yellow for childhood cancer. 'When Damien McCabe decided he wanted to do something here in Ireland with yellow wrap, we obviously jumped at the chance. 'Rhino Products Ltd are a well-respected merchant and they are a very good partner. We are looking forward to a good collaboration for the 'Wrap it Yellow' campaign.' Liam Maloney of the IFFPG added: 'We are delighted to be a sponsor of this year's 'Wrap It Yellow' awareness campaign and to support the fantastic work that these charities do.' Agriland managing director, Cormac Farrelly said: 'I am delighted that Agriland can be a proud sponsor of this year's campaign, supporting the important work these two charities do to help families who are in a time of need.' The chosen charities Aoibheann's Pink Tie provides practical, emotional, and financial support to families who need it, allowing them to focus on their wellbeing, their support of each other, and the treatment and recovery of their child. Barretstown offers free, specially designed camps and programmes for children and their families living with a serious illness, supported behind the scenes by 24-hour on-site medical and nursing care. Barretstown's mission is to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness, and their families, through a life changing therapeutic recreation programme in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. By choosing Yellow Wrap, farmers and agricultural businesses across Ireland can actively participate in this cause. All money raised will be donated to the two charities.
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
John Virgo gave Alex Higgins response when asked about working with Jim Davidson on Big Break
John Virgo gave Alex Higgins response when asked about working with Jim Davidson on Big Break John Virgo and Jim Davidson worked together for more than a decade on snooker-themed gameshow Big Break, which was one of the BBC's biggest hits of the 1990s Jim Davidson and John Virgo with a young Stephen Hendry on Big Break (Image: BBC ) John Virgo has admitted he didn't think joining forces with comedian Jim Davidson on Big Break would work. The popular snooker-themed gameshow, which ran on the BBC between 1991 and 2002, saw Conservative-supporting comic Davidson and Virgo - in his words, a 'dour northern socialist' - thrown together. With Davidson having little knowledge of snooker, there were obvious question marks about the show's shelf life. Virgo had some early doubts himself but soaring viewing figures ensured it ran for more than a decade. The 1979 UK Championship winner, who was a close friend of snooker hell-raiser Alex Higgins, has fond memories of working with Davidson. 'I always remember, Jim had a bit of a reputation in the business for being hard work,' recalled Virgo, who was renowned for his 'pot as many balls as you can' and 'goodnight JV' catchphrases on Big Break. 'A few people asked me, 'How are you getting on working with Jim Davidson?' I said, 'He doesn't bother me, I worked with Higgins for 20 years!' I wasn't daunted by working with Jim. Article continues below 'It's a funny thing about life. He's your crafty Conservative comedian and I'm your dour northern socialist. How do you come up with that? But obviously the chemistry worked. The pair had undeniable chemistry (Image: BBC ) 'Although Jim didn't know much about snooker, what a funny man and a very generous man to work with. We really got on well.' The show came at the right time for Virgo, whose professional career was winding down. He said: 'The '79 UK [Championship] was the highlight of mine. I'd got to a few semi-finals but you could see I was slightly on the wane. 'I still had the commentary and I still had exhibitions, where I'd do impersonations of other players, which was very popular. Then, all of a sudden, I get this phone call, 'Would you be interested in doing this TV show, a quiz show with snooker, with his this comedian, Jim Davidson'. 'In all honesty, after doing the first couple of shows, I was thinking, 'I don't see how this works'. Anyway, we did eight. 'We took over the slot from A Question of Sport on a Tuesday night [before Big Break moved to its early Saturday evening slot] and the viewing figures were better! That shows you the popularity of snooker at the time. 'Then they wanted us to go back into the studio to do another 18! We ran for 10 years and peaked at nearly 14million viewers. It was remarkable.' Virgo's relationship with Davidson didn't end when the show was cancelled, with the pair performing in pantomime together. Article continues below 'It was certainly a different way of life for me, from being a snooker player to getting into show business,' reflected Virgo. 'I'd previously done panto with Timmy Mallet. He'd chase me off the stage trying to hit me with his mallet. I was thinking, 'what am I doing here!?' 'I did another at the Ashcroft Theatre [in Croydon] and Jim came to watch with his wife and kids. The next year, he asked me to do pantomime with him.' Virgo is currently commentating for the BBC at the World Championship in Sheffield.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jim Davidson reflects on addiction struggles and embarrassing encounter with Miss World
Comedian Jim Davidson has shared further details about the extent of his past drug addiction in a candid interview with The Telegraph. Known for his roles as the host of Big Break and The Generation Game, as well as his win on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, Davidson has been open about his struggles with drugs, revealing how his addiction once controlled his life. In the interview, Davidson spoke about his addiction to cocaine, describing it as an obsession that gave him a sense of invincibility. "Drugs made me feel like Superman," he explained, noting how the euphoria would fade quickly, leading him to crave more. He recounted one particularly alarming incident at a showbiz party where he was sitting at a table with a nosebleed, feeling on the brink of collapse and yet expressed confusion over why Miss World, a guest at the event, avoided speaking to him. Davidson also reflected on his reckless behavior, which included sourcing drugs for friends. 'I used to take tonnes of drugs and run errands to pick up pills and other substances for my mates,' he said. He further revealed that his addiction caused a significant strain on his family life, explaining how he prioritized drugs over everything else, including loved ones. 'I didn't know how to put the brakes on,' he admitted during an appearance on Life Stories with Piers Morgan. The comedian acknowledged the devastating toll of his addiction, recalling times when he took as many as 250 pills over a weekend. Ultimately, he realized the destructive path he was on, which led him to quit drugs. Davidson's openness about his past highlights the dangerous allure of addiction and the importance of seeking help to overcome it.
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jim Davidson's horror nose-bleed from cocaine use while talking to Miss World
Comedian Jim Davidson has been open about his drug addiction and in a new interview, he revealed the depths of his drug addiction Jim Davidson has made a new admission about the depths of his drug addiction. The comedian has been open about his past with drugs and in a new interview, he explained more about the depths of his addiction. The comedian will be best known for his work presenting the likes of Big Break and The Generation Game, whilst he also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, which he went on to win. Speaking to The Telegraph in a new interview, he said: "That didn't really agree with me. Colombia could not produce enough. Come on, lads, work on weekends, Jim needs his nose full." Jim said the drugs made him "feel like Superman" and said they were "all that mattered" in his life. "At one showbiz party I was sat at a table with my nose bleeding, looking like I was about to keel over and die, and I remember wondering why Miss World, who was a guest at the do, didn't want to talk to me," he said. "I couldn't take enough. Drugs made me feel like Superman. Life was just one long, long party. I'd end up staying up for days on end, hanging out with people I didn't even know. All that mattered was the drugs. When I sniffed a line it gave me a huge buzz and a rush of euphoria. But as soon as that started wearing off I wanted more." Jim had also admitted in the past that he would even help to supply drugs for his friends. He said: "I used to take tonnes of drugs. My mates used to send me down to Erith to pick up all the pills and things and come back to Woolwich. I didn't go far, it's not like I went to Peru or somewhere, but I was the bloke from the pub that used to go and get them all." During an appearance on Life Stories with then-host Piers Morgan, Jim admitted he didn't know how to "put the brakes on" with his addiction and pushed his family aside as a result of his addiction. "It became a bit of a mess really. I had to put the brakes on…I did not know how to. I used to go to the pub at lunchtime as I was bored. I was earning £250,000 a week and I was able to push some things aside – and that included family," he said. "Sometimes I took 250 pills in a weekend, amphetamines, when I was young. It was awful. That is why I stopped doing it. It made me feel awful and then I moved on to to all that Charlie." *Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@ message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
