Washington State University - Chinook Yearbook (Pullman, WA)

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Edward Bi. Murrow Television executives, network presidents and correspondents, communication scholars and friends of Edward R. Murrow gathered here at his alma mater for the Mur- row Symposium to discuss the legacy of the famous broadcaster, and to speculate on what he might have thought if he could see the press as it is today. Commemorating what would have been Murrow's 75th birthday, the symposium was held in late April, and featured four sessions focusing on the theme The Murrow Heri- tage, A Challenge for the Future. Diane Sawyer, co-anchor of the CBS Morning News, was on hand to give the keynote address at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Before an audience of about 2500, she said that although media technology may change, the standards set by Murrow will not. Because after all the satellites, and all the dazzle, in the end, and these are Murrow's words, we will still be confronted with the age old problem of what to say and how to say it. At the opening ceremony in Bryan Audi- torium, symposium participants also recalled Murrow's importance as the standard setter of broadcast journalism. For us, Edward R. Murrow represents the standard of excellence through which we measure our own work, said Dean Mell, president of the RadiofTelevision News Directors Association. Others recalled Murrow's earlier days as a student at WSU. I don't think any of us foresaw Ed's future, but I do know we are proud of everything he did, said Paul Coie, a classmate of Murrow's, now a Seattle lawyer. Janet Murrow, the widow of the late broadcaster, also spoke at the opening cere- mony. Following the opening ceremony, the well-attended first session of the symposium brought together every president of CBS News since Murrow held that post following World War ll. Current CBS President Van Gordon Sau- ter joined former Presidents Fred Friendly, William Leonard, Sig Mickelson and Richard Salant in a panel discussion of The Impact of the Murrow Heritage. He understood the grammar of broadcast journalism. He invented it, said Friendly of Murrow and his contribution to broadcasting 28 as a pioneer in a new field of communica- tions. Mickelson agreed, He was the first act of broadcast journalism. The second session, with a panel of schol- ars and correspondents, took on the equally important topic of the public's right to know in times of crisis. Bob Faw, CBS Israel correspondent, who participated in the discussion, said, I think the American public does have a right to know it is seeing Israel through rose-colored glasses. Panelist Clete Roberts, who was a corres- pondent during World War ll, said another problem facing the press is that the public does not care about their right to know. john D. Stevens, a journalism professor at the University ofMichigan, also participated in the panel discussion. The third session, entitled 'AThe News and the Messenger: Yesterday and Today, fea- tured an impressive panel of Charles Kuralt, CBS correspondent and commentator, joe Wershba, producer of U60 Minutes , and William Small, president of United Press ln- ternational. The panel discussed issues of technology and its influence on reporting. Concluding the symposium, Friendly led a panel in a 'Khypotheticalf' a format which he uses on public television and at Columbia University seminars. SYMPOSIUM '83: Focusing on the adversary relationship be- tween government and press, Friendly set the scene of the discussion in the year l994 with the United States involved in a crisis. He then quizzed the panel of journalists, lawyers and network decision makers on what they would do in various situations en- countered while collecting news during a na- tional emergency. Throughout the symposium, students were given opportunities to meet the partici- pants, about 200 students working as per- sonal escorts, drivers, tour guides and ses- sion hosts. - Leslie English Y in

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asked to join the New Christy Minstrels, a group which experienced considerable success as a folk group during the early sixties. When Rogers left the Minstrels, he took with him three of its members - Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Comacho - and they formed the First Edition. The groupls first big hit was 'just Dropped In. Soon after that Rog- ers recorded the famous hit Ruby. At age thirty-eight, Kenny left the First Edition and turned to country. As a Since the birth of Lucille', Kenny's songs have been unique in that they describe a drama, teach a lesson or cle- scribe the heartaches of lovef' soloist it was not long before fame was upon him. The hit which made it all possible was about a woman who had left her hard working husband and four chil- dren and picked a fine time to do it: Lucille Since the birth of Lucille Kennyls songs have been unique in that they de- scribe a drama, teach a lesson or describe the heartaches of love and life. They have become a part of the American Heritage, songs we can identify with be- cause they tell ofthe common man -his .,. ss.. M. successes and his failures. Rogers found himself as the singing storyteller, croon- ing of our faults as well as, our virtues. Since that time, there rarely has been a week during which Kenny has not had a song high on the pop or country charts. But, singing has not been the only past- time of Kenny's of late, He has already starred in two television features: Cow- ard of the County and The Gam- bler , both named for two of his hit songs. His latest endeavor has been a motion picture in which Rogers plays a has-been stock car driver. The picture is Six Pack which promises to be as successful as his music. At forty-four, Rogers is far from a has- been. He has an income of over twenty million dollars a year and is looking to the future. With more albums on the way and possibly another movie, Rogers seems content. I am at the happiest time of my life and I wouldn't change a thing, Rogers claims. Even so, he sus- pects that his days as the king of pop country are limited. HI was on a hot spell that will probably wind down in a couple of years. But, then again, this kind of success was never important to me, he admits. I am basically a happy person. I would be happy ifI was a plumber - ifl had the creative outlet and a good family life. Whether Kenny is correct in saying that he may not be number one tomor- row, there is no denying the fact that he is today. His white peppered beard and slow, relaxed style have made him a cherished scene for millions of all ages the world over. His music is unique and touches the hearts of all who have shared his feelings about life. From his small beginnings in Houston to worldwide fame, one fact is apparent: Kenny will always be the common man's friend. Ifa stop in Pullman did not prove that, just listen to him sing and you will From his small beginnings in Houston to worldwide fame, one fact is apparent: Kenny will always be the common man's friend. hear of the common man's dreams and hopes and of his heartaches and losses . . . and you will believe. -- by joe Morlan

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