ABC News anchor Byron Pitts gives lecture to Mass Communications students Friday, May 2

May 2, 2014 Add Comment
From l-r, Department of Mass Communications Chair Dr. Emmanuel K. Ngwainmbi, College of Liberal Arts Dean Dr. Lawrence Potter, Associate Dean for the College of Business Dr. Sheila Porterfield, Byron Pitts and Dr. William McHenry, executive director of the Mississippi e-Center.

ABC News anchor and chief correspondent Byron Pitts spent time Friday, May 2, in Jackson State University’s Mass Communications Department, visiting with faculty and students before giving a brief lecture about his experience in the newsroom.

Pitts also toured the Mississippi e-Center@JSU, where the Mass Communication Department is housed. He gave student interviews and offered feedback on student projects.

From l-r, Department of Mass Communications Chair Dr. Emmanuel K. Ngwainmbi, College of Liberal Arts Dean Dr. Lawrence Potter, Associate Dean for the College of Business Dr. Sheila Porterfield, Byron Pitts and Dr. William McHenry, executive director of the Mississippi e-Center.
From l-r, Department of Mass Communications Chair Dr. Emmanuel K. Ngwainmbi, College of Liberal Arts Dean Dr. Lawrence Potter, Associate Dean for the College of Business Dr. Sheila Porterfield, Byron Pitts and Dr. William McHenry, executive director of the Mississippi e-Center.

“The facility is first class. The caliber of persons who provide instruction and the caliber of students are most impressive. I saw one student project that could air anywhere in the country,” Pitts said. “Young people are being trained in the right values here to be successful.”

Pitts was named ABC news anchor and chief national correspondent in April 2013. He covers national news stories and in-depth features for the network, reporting for all broadcasts and platforms including “Good Morning America,” “World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Nightline,” “This Week” and “20/20.” Pitts also reports for all ABC News digital properties, including ABCNews.com.

Pitts is a multiple Emmy award-winning journalist known for his thoughtful storytelling, on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews. A news veteran with over 20 years of experience, Pitts has traveled around the world to cover some of the biggest news stories of our time from the Florida presidential recount to the tsunami in Indonesia and the refugee crisis in Kosovo. Less than 24 hours at ABC News, Pitts participated in live special coverage of the Boston marathon bombing investigation, including the daylong manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers that virtually shut down the city.

Pitts was selected as the commencement speaker for the May 3 exercises for undegraduates.

During his lecture with students at the Mass Communications Department Collaboratory, he urged the students to be willing to take good advice as they enter their profession. He also told them to learn the rules of the business, and “to have a clear vision for your goals and a path to get there.”

Regina Toney, a senior from Chicago, said she admired Pitts for his efforts to promote diversity in the field of journalism. She said his career is a good example for others to follow.

“For him to come in and give us advice was absolutely amazing,” Toney said.