More Than 200 Graduate at Cronkite Convocation

With former CNN anchor Aaron Brown delivering the keynote address, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduated 196 bachelor’s degree candidates and 15 master’s degree candidates at its spring convocation. Brown, who served as the John J. Rhodes Chair in Public Policy and American Institutions at Arizona State University during the spring semester, received a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 1,200 at Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed venue on the Tempe campus. Among the graduates, 17 students were inducted into Kappa Tau Alpha, the college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism. Inductees represent the top 10 percent of their class studying print, broadcast or online journalism. The Cronkite School also recognized outstanding undergraduate students Stephanie Berger, Justin Karp and Shannon Pagels. Master’s degree candidate Chris Sheppard was named outstanding graduate student. Berger also received the ASU Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award. Four Cronkite School students – Berger, Zachary Cann, Molly O’Brien and Ljubinka Slaveska – received the Moeur Award from President Crow at the university commencement ceremony the day before. The Moeur Award is given to students who graduate with the highest academic standard and complete their coursework in eight consecutive semesters at ASU. Graduating senior Evan Doherty delivered the student convocation address.