Legendary Texas-born journalist and distinguished Sam Houston State University alumnus Dan Rather was a featured participant in a discussion program-Mingling with the Media-at his alma mater on Wednesday, September 28. During the program he discussed his 60-year career and concluded by answering questions from the audience.
The program was held at the university’s James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Admission to the event was free and was open to the public.
From his early days as the Associated Press reporter in Huntsville, Texas, in 1950, Rather has earned his reputation as the "hardest working man in broadcast journalism."
He is now the host and managing editor of "Dan Rather Reports on HDNet," which begins its sixth season on Sept. 13. The network’s signature news program features Rather presenting "hard-edged field reports, bold investigations, in-depth interviews and stories from around the world" and covers topics including politics, the environment, the global economy, and international affairs and conflicts. The award-winning program has been nominated for News and Doc Emmys this year in the categories of Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a News Magazine, Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting in a News Magazine, and Outstanding Editing-Quick Turnaround.
Rather previously served as anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" from 1981 to 2005, the longest such tenure in broadcast journalism history.
Highlights of Rather’s news career include covering the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the civil rights movement and wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, Yugoslavia and Iraq. His work in the broadcast journalism field has earned him numerous recognitions and awards, including the coveted Peabody Award.
Rather was joined on-stage for the discussion by Dana Gibson, president of Sam Houston State University, and Peter Roussel, Warner Chair of Journalism at SHSU. The program is was produced by Sam Houston State University students, members of the student organization Priority One, who attend classes in the Dan Rather Communications Building.
