The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication will hold the 47th annual Murrow Symposium on April 4-5. With a focus on communicating with truth and courage, the symposium features 24 sessions including keynotes, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops led by industry leaders from around the world. All offerings are free and open to the public and will be held in the Compton Union Building on the Pullman campus and broadcast virtually.
A highlight of the event will be at 7 p.m. Tues, April 4 when New York Times editor and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Dean Baquet will deliver a keynote address and receive the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism.
“This year’s Lifetime Achievement celebration is particularly poignant,” said Bruce Pinkleton, dean of Murrow College at WSU. “The Symposium theme is ‘Legacy of Truth: communication with courage,’ and Dean Baquet embodies just that. He is a leader in our field and has built a strong reputation for producing fair-minded, independent journalism. His willingness to speak for truth and to defend journalists against a variety of challenges including corporate cutbacks and political harassment are consistent with Murrow’s courage and ethical determination. In fact, I believe Mr. Baquet has led a career that would have impressed even Edward R. Murrow.”
Cindy Brunson, Robert Dove, and Roger Nyhus will be celebrated at a lunch on Tues, April 4 as the Murrow Hall of Achievement Class of 2023. Cindy Brunson is an award-winning journalist, who came to national attention for her work on ESPN. Robert Dove is a pioneer and innovator of the broadcast industry who recently retired as the Pacific NW Region President of I Heart media. Roger Nyhus, a business and civic leader, is founder and former CEO of Nyhus Communications. He is presently awaiting senatorial confirmation as the next U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
The two-day symposium includes a variety of keynotes from communication experts. The event kicks off with Melissa Barnes, a 20-year veteran in marketing and tech, who made the decision to leave Twitter last fall, delivering a talk titled, “Do the Right Thing: Navigating the Moments that will Define Your Career.” Other features include Northwest Public Broadcasting journalist Anna King who will give a special presentation on her podcast, “Ghost Herd,” tracing the story of a cowboy con-job that impacted both local agriculture and the economy of the entire nation. Symposium events will conclude with a special tribute given by Karen Dorn Steele to honor Bill Morlin (1946-2021), the revered investigative reporter who covered everything from neo-Nazis and white supremacists to crooks and corrupt politicians in a half-century at Spokane newspapers.
Generously sponsored in part by Washington Federal Bank, the Murrow College Symposium welcomes all students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to register for free and attend either virtually or in-person. The event will also provide students with one-on-one coaching sessions and informational interviews with potential employers. WSU Photo services will provide free headshots for all who attend.
Event and additional registration details are available on the Murrow College Symposium website and social media channels.
