NEWS

Gergen, broadcaster, adviser to presidents, to lecture Oct. 16 at journalism school

By JENA WITTKAMP
UNC News Services

CHAPEL HILL -- David Gergen, adviser to four former presidents, journalist, commentator and author, will speak Oct. 16 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Gergen, a Durham native, worked in the Nixon and Ford administrations and was communications director for President Reagan. For 18 months, Gergen worked in the Clinton administration, first as a counselor on foreign policy and domestic affairs, then as special international adviser to the president and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Gergen will deliver the school’s third Earl Wynn Distinguished Lecture, on current issues in television news, at 5 p.m. in Carroll Hall auditorium. A reception will be at 4 p.m. in the Halls of Fame Room in Carroll. Both will be free and open to the public.

Now a professor of public service at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Gergen directs the school’s Center for Public Leadership. He also is editor-at-large of U.S. News & World Report and a frequent TV commentator.

Gergen served as host and moderator for the past two seasons of PBS’ 13-part discussion series "World @ Large." His recent book "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton," was a best seller. He is an honors graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School and holds 12 honorary degrees.

Gergen will be the third speaker in the lecture series. CNN talk show host Larry King was the inaugural Earl Wynn Distinguished Lecturer in October 2000, and Lesley Stahl, co-editor of CBS News’ "60 Minutes," spoke in November 2001.

The late Earl Wynn, a UNC professor, founded UNC's radio, television and motion picture studies department at the end of World War II. He was a pioneer in the development of the statewide public television network and the university’s FM radio station. His goal was educating young people for serious careers in broadcasting and motion pictures. His program produced successful film and TV producers, writers, station owners and on-air and film talent. He retired in 1976 after 38 years of service to the university.

For more information about the lecture, contact Beth Braxton, assistant dean for development and alumni affairs, at 962-9467 or bbraxton@email.unc.edu.

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(Wittkamp, of Raleigh, is a senior majoring in women’s studies and journalism and mass communication.)

School of Journalism and Mass Communication contact: Beth Braxton, 962-9467 or bbraxton@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, 962-8589, laura_toler@unc.edu