Cronkite School, Arizona PBS Celebrating Walter Cronkite’s 100th Birthday Friday

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Walter Cronkite this Friday with a special public birthday celebration as well as a one-hour TV special on Arizona PBS.The Cronkite at 100 celebration at the Cronkite School will feature a brief video chat with the late news anchor’s grandson, Walter L. Cronkite IV, who is a producer at CBS News, as well as a variety of Cronkite-inspired activities for the ASU community and the public.Activities will include a photo booth and opportunities for students to share their thoughts on the late CBS News anchor’s legacy. ASU’s radio station, The Blaze, will broadcast from the event. The event is Friday, Nov. 4, in the Cronkite School’s First Amendment Forum from 4:30-5:30 p.m.The celebration is just one of several initiatives honoring Cronkite, who was born on Nov. 4, 1916.In September, the Cronkite School, CBS News and the Newseum hosted a large-scale celebration in Washington, D.C., featuring Cronkite School alumni and faculty and top journalists such as PBS NewsHour anchor Gwen Ifill, CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley, CBS News contributor Bob Schieffer and 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl.Arizona PBS will air highlights from “The Walter Cronkite Centennial Celebration” at the Newseum Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. on Arizona PBS World (8.3) and again Sunday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. on Arizona PBS (8.1).“Walter Cronkite means so much to our school and the journalism profession,” said Cronkite School Dean and Arizona PBS CEO Christopher Callahan. “While he may be gone, his influence continues to impact journalism through his enduring values. We are excited to mark this special occasion with our outstanding students, faculty and the community.”On Nov. 21, the Cronkite School will present Pelley with the 33rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix. The annual Cronkite Award Luncheon is one of the most anticipated events in the Valley, attracting more than 1,000 guests every year, including industry leaders from the worlds of media, politics, business and education.Cronkite, known as “the most trusted man in America,” was anchor of the “CBS Evening News” for nearly 20 years from 1962-1981. Cronkite shepherded the nation through President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War, the walk on the moon and the Iranian hostage crisis. Known for his famous sign-off “And that’s the way it is,” Cronkite won numerous honors and the admiration of a country for his reporting.In 1984, ASU named its journalism program in honor of Cronkite, who was closely involved with the school until his death in 2009. Cronkite regularly advised leadership and visited with students and faculty. He also presented the Cronkite Award for Excellence to one of the nation’s top journalists each year. Cronkite at 100: Celebrating Walter Cronkite’s BirthdayFriday, Nov. 4, 2016 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.First Amendment Forum (second floor), Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 “The Walter Cronkite Centennial Celebration” TV SpecialFriday, Nov. 4, 2016 from 8 p.m. on Arizona PBS World (8.3)Sunday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. on Arizona PBS (8.1)