Today the new Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication officially opened for classes in downtown Phoenix.
As a Cronkite School alumnus (class of ’01) who knows well the state of the old school in Tempe, I was thrilled with the rare privilege of checking out the new facility last week as ASU was putting the finishing touches on it. What I saw left me a little envious of the students who will embark on a news media career in those halls. OK … a lot envious.
The industry is changing at a pace that few others have known, and I’m more confident now that the next generation will have the tools it needs to face those challenges.
You can read more about this fantastic new center for journalism education here. It’s at the southeast corner of Central Avenue and Fillmore Street. Public events during this inaugural semester will let the curious check out the Cronkite School, including a guest speaker series featuring Washington Post executive editor Len Downie, former CNN anchor Aaron Brown, Arizona Diamondbacks president and Cronkite alumnus Derrick Hall and East Valley Tribune publisher Julie Moreno.
On the weekends, the First Amendment Forum (illustrated at top) will be open to all ASU students and guests to watch college football on Saturdays and NFL games on Sundays.