Inaugural Cronkite Day Celebration Set for October

Arizona State University journalism alumni are invited back to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication for the school’s first-ever large-scale alumni celebration Oct. 26.

Conceived and designed by the Cronkite School National Board of Advisors, Cronkite Day is an all-day festival of professional, social, career development and networking opportunities held at the Cronkite building on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor the legacy of Walter Cronkite or the great strides and accomplishments made by the school that bears his name than our first Cronkite Day event,” said Craig A. Newman, chairman of the National Board of Advisors. “We live in an era when journalism’s role, methods and innovations are constantly reinvented, challenged and redefined. The Cronkite School has taken a leadership role in this global conversation, with many alumni who are industry leaders returning to campus for Cronkite Day to share their experiences, challenges and visions for the future of media.”

Headlining the event is a series of showcase panels featuring alumni on topics ranging from coverage of the 2012 elections, the impact of social media and international news coverage to public relations in the digital age and the state of local TV news. Alumni also will have the opportunity to talk with current Cronkite students and see their work in state-of-the-art newsrooms, TV studios, digital classrooms and innovation laboratories around the building.

Cronkite faculty and staff will be on hand to talk with alumni about career development opportunities, including the Cronkite New Media Academy, the Office of Career Services, the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism and graduate programs. In addition, alumni will be able to get feedback on their writing, photography, video and resumes with top Cronkite alumni and faculty in one-on-one settings.

Other Cronkite Day activities will include behind-the-scenes tours of the award-winning, LEED-certified Cronkite building with the building’s architects and a happy hour reception at a local restaurant.

“Cronkite Day is an unprecedented opportunity for Cronkite alumni from around the world to reconnect with old friends and classmates and favorite professors, make new friends and professional connections and learn about what’s happening at the school,” said Cronkite Dean Christopher Callahan. “We look forward to welcoming our graduates to this unique celebration.”

The event comes the day before ASU’s annual Homecoming festivities and football game. The following week, the Cronkite School will host the 29th annual Cronkite Award Luncheon, this year honoring NBC Sports’ Bob Costas, on Oct. 30.