UPDATED 4/1/19: Originally scheduled for the Kent Student Center Ballroom, please note that this event has been moved to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center).
He has reported on nine U.S. presidencies, immersing himself in their decision-making, priorities, wars and economic policy. He has won nearly every American journalism award including two Pulitzers, and he has authored or co-authored 19 best-selling books – 13 of which have been No. 1, more than any contemporary nonfiction writer.
On Saturday, May 4, legendary journalist Bob Woodward comes to Kent State University as part of the Presidential Speaker Series. He will speak at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center). His presentation coincides with the annual commemoration events marking May 4, 1970, when a student protest against the Vietnam War and the presence of Ohio National Guardsmen ended in tragedy. Guardsmen shot and killed four Kent State students and wounded nine others.
“Bob Woodward is one of the most influential and well-known journalists of our times,” said Kent State President Beverly J. Warren. “Mr. Woodward’s insights on the Richard Nixon presidency and the Kent State shootings, which President Nixon said were among the darkest days of his presidency, are of particular interest to our Kent State community.”
Mr. Woodward gained international attention when he and Carl Bernstein reported on Watergate. Together, their work won a Pulitzer Prize for The Washington Post, and their book, “All the President’s Men,” became a No. 1 national best-seller in the spring and summer before President Nixon resigned in 1974. Their book was turned into a movie in 1976, with Robert Redford portraying Mr. Woodward and Dustin Hoffman portraying Mr. Bernstein. In listing the all-time 100 best nonfiction books, Time magazine has called “All the President’s Men” by Mr. Woodward and Mr. Bernstein “perhaps the most influential piece of journalism in history.”
Mr. Woodward was the lead reporter for The Washington Post’s articles on the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2002.
Currently, he is associate editor for The Washington Post, where he has worked since 1971.
During his speech at Kent State, Mr. Woodward will consider the events of 1969 and the Vietnam War leading up to Cambodia. He will also reflect on President Nixon’s quote that “the few days after Kent State were among the darkest of my presidency.”
Award-winning journalist Jeff St. Clair will serve as master of ceremonies and will moderate a question-and-answer session on stage with Mr. Woodward following his remarks. Mr. St. Clair is the local host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” on WKSU, which is co-sponsoring Mr. Woodward’s appearance at Kent State.
“WKSU is so proud to support this event,” said WKSU Executive Director and General Manager Wendy Turner. “From his early days, Bob Woodward reshaped and refocused investigative journalism. Mr. Woodward’s journalistic power is discovering – and reporting – the truth. His work inspires a new generation of journalists to persevere in this noble profession.”
Tickets
Presidential Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. However, a ticket is required for admission.
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About the Kent State University Presidential Speaker Series
The Kent State University Presidential Speaker Series seeks to bring high-profile, world-renowned experts to Kent State for serious, thought-provoking discussions and conversations. Previous speakers include Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, journalist Dan Rather, filmmaker Ken Burns, and journalists and human rights advocates Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
About WKSU
WKSU is an award-winning public radio station and service of Kent State University that broadcasts to 22 counties in Northeast Ohio from the station’s primary signal at 89.7. WKSU content can also be heard over WKRW 89.3 (Wooster), WKRJ 91.5 (Dover/New Philadelphia), WKSV 89.1 (Thompson), WNRK 90.7 (Norwalk), W239AZ 95.7 (Ashland) and W234CX 94.7 (Mansfield). The station adds WKSU-2 Folk Alley, WKSU-3 The Classical Channel and WKSU-4 The News Channel over HD Radio and as streaming audio at www.wksu.org, through the WKSU mobile and on smart speakers.