The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University mourns the loss of Liz Burns, a pioneering leader in local journalism, visionary media executive, and one of the School’s most generous and dedicated supporters. Burns leaves behind a profound legacy that spans journalism, education and advocacy for independent, family-owned media.
Burns and her husband, Richard, are among the largest individual donors in the history of the Cronkite School, demonstrating a deep commitment to the future of journalism. Liz first attended the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism luncheon in November 2009, and her passion for Cronkite’s mission only grew from there. She officially joined the School’s Endowment Board of Trustees in February 2015, contributing annually and enthusiastically volunteering her time and expertise from the very first meeting. In 2017, she and Richard established the Cronkite Enhancement Fund to advance key priorities across the school.
“Liz Burns was a force in local journalism and a tireless advocate for the next generation of reporters and media leaders,” said Dr. Battinto L. Batts, Cronkite School Dean and Professor. “Her generosity, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of community storytelling will have a lasting impact for years to come. She was also a dear friend who my wife, Tamala, and I had the pleasure of getting to know along with her husband, Richard. She will be missed.”
As the longtime leader of Morgan Murphy Media, Liz opened doors for aspiring journalists, hiring numerous Cronkite students and helping them launch careers in local newsrooms across the country. Joining Morgan Murphy Media in 1982, Burns guided the family-run company for 43 years with both strategic vision and a deep respect for community-centered journalism.
She was a passionate advocate for family-owned and operated media organizations, firmly believing that local ownership fostered stronger, more authentic connections with the communities being served.
Her professional achievements were as pioneering as they were numerous. Burns was the first woman elected to the CBS affiliates advisory board and among the first women to serve on the board of directors for the National Association of Broadcasters. Under her leadership, Morgan Murphy Media expanded its footprint significantly, with notable acquisitions including WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wis. (2003), KOAM-TV and the Victoria Television Group (2017), and WBKB-TV and WBUP-TV in Michigan (2023).
Burns’ contributions to the broadcasting industry earned widespread recognition. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005—joining her father, Morgan Murphy—and was honored with the NAB’s Chuck Sherman Television Leadership Award in 2006. In 2018, she was named a “Giant of Broadcasting” by the Library of American Broadcasting.
The Cronkite School extends its deepest condolences to the Burns family and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.