Three of our outstanding graduates, who will be honored at Cronkite’s virtual Convocation ceremony on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., recently shared their personal stories of inspiration and their passion for journalism.
Outstanding Cronkite Student Wants to Tell Stories that Promote Change
After watching an episode of “60 Minutes” with his father one night, Dylan McKim knew exactly what he wanted to do.
A teenager at the time, the Friendswood, Texas native decided that journalism was a calling he couldn’t ignore. McKim applied to and was accepted to ASU, winning an ASU New American University President’s Award, offered to outstanding incoming undergraduate students.
As an undergraduate in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, McKim completed internships at Arizona PBS, 12 News, and The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk. McKim also reported for Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS, and placed second in the national television championship of the Hearst Journalism Awards. Read More.
Cronkite Grad Found It Gratifying to be on the Forefront of Investigative Journalism
When José-Ignacio Castañeda Perez was a young boy, his mother emphasized the importance of earning an education in the United States. Now, as a young man, Castañeda has achieved that goal with a bachelor’s degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Castañeda, who minored in Italian, also is a recipient of the 2020-2021 Charles A. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship and the 2020-2021 National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ María Elena Salinas Scholarship. In addition, he has been named an Outstanding Undergraduate Student for Cronkite’s Fall 2020 Convocation.
“I’ve always tried to make her proud by working hard and accomplishing the most I can while furthering my education at ASU,” Castañeda said, referring to his mother. “My Mexican heritage and immigration into the United States at 6 years old motivated me to focus and excel on my education at Cronkite.” Read More.
Cronkite Convocation Speaker Vows to Give Back
Patricia Vicente, a first-generation college student, has no intention of forgetting where she came from. In fact, the Pomona, California, resident is determined to remember and help others with similar backgrounds.
Vicente has thrived at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication where she’s pursuing a B.A. in Sports Journalism with a minor in Spanish. With graduation just weeks away, she hopes to use her degree to pursue her interests in sports journalism or work in underserved communities abroad.
Vicente earned a New American University Scholarship to attend Arizona State University. She also was awarded the Bright Prospect Scholarship designed to help low-income, first-generation students pursue a college education. Read More.