Northwestern to memorialize slain journalist

Northwestern University is planning a memorial service for U.S. journalist James Foley, who was slain by Islamic State militants.

The university announced Thursday the public service will be held next Thursday at Alice Millar Chapel in Evanston.

Foley earned a master's degree from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism in 2008. Medill Dean Bradley Hamm says the memorial is a chance for the university and the community to "gather in reflection" about Foley's life.

Foley was in Syria in 2012 when he was captured by militants. He was killed in August by extremists. Members of the Islamic State said they killed Foley because of U.S. intervention in the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Northwestern says Foley's mother, Diana Foley, and grandmother, Olga Wright, plant to attend the service.