Marist recognizes CNN correspondent
Marissa Guercio and Lindsay Straub
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent for CNN, received the 2008 Marist College Lowell Thomas Award at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan on Friday, Nov. 14.
The ceremony was the 20th presentation of the Marist College Lowell Thomas Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals in the communications industry whose lives and work reflect the imagination, courage, ambition, and humanity of Lowell Thomas.
In her 18 years as an international correspondent, Amanpour has reported on major crises from around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, and the United States during Hurricane Katrina.
Prior to the luncheon, Amanpour participated in a round table discussion with students in Tim Massie's organizational writing class, as well as members of The Circle and Student Government Association.
As citizen journalism and iReporting become more popular, Amanpour stressed the need for knowledgeable and intelligent journalists. She said that citizen journalists should never substitute educated journalists.
"Good journalists tell vital stories from vital places that deeply impact America," Amanpour said. "Such journalists bring back real stories that will help electorate understand and support its government and policies."
The CNN correspondent said that we must understand our role in an increasingly globalized world.
"If you have the means, and I believe that all of you do, go out there, find your story and bring it home," Amanpour said. "You just have to decide that it's really what you want to do."
Later in the discussion, Amanpour spoke about the basis for a compelling story.
"Storytelling is the backbone of what we do as journalists," said Amanpour. "It's what people are based on."
Amanpour said that in order to make a compelling story, journalists need to find dramatic context and the best people to tell that story, and in turn, make others understand how it relates to them.
In attendance was Dr. Mark Van Dyke, associate professor of communication, who said he met Amanpour during his time in Bosnia as Chief of Public Information for NATO's peace operations.
"During a press conference I held in Bosnia, I can remember Christiane asking me those critical questions to get more than a story, but to get the truth," said Van Dyke.
Marist senior Julie Lavin said she was a very inspirational and graceful speaker.
"I felt very honored and privileged to be in her presence," said Lavin. "It was interesting to hear the advice she gave to us as students and as prospective players in the field of communications."
During her acceptance speech, Amanpour referred back to the advice she gave students and noted the value of active minds and people who work from a grassroots mentality.
"Sitting on the sidelines is so yesterday," Amanpour said.
The ceremony was the 20th presentation of the Marist College Lowell Thomas Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals in the communications industry whose lives and work reflect the imagination, courage, ambition, and humanity of Lowell Thomas.
In her 18 years as an international correspondent, Amanpour has reported on major crises from around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, and the United States during Hurricane Katrina.
Prior to the luncheon, Amanpour participated in a round table discussion with students in Tim Massie's organizational writing class, as well as members of The Circle and Student Government Association.
As citizen journalism and iReporting become more popular, Amanpour stressed the need for knowledgeable and intelligent journalists. She said that citizen journalists should never substitute educated journalists.
"Good journalists tell vital stories from vital places that deeply impact America," Amanpour said. "Such journalists bring back real stories that will help electorate understand and support its government and policies."
The CNN correspondent said that we must understand our role in an increasingly globalized world.
"If you have the means, and I believe that all of you do, go out there, find your story and bring it home," Amanpour said. "You just have to decide that it's really what you want to do."
Later in the discussion, Amanpour spoke about the basis for a compelling story.
"Storytelling is the backbone of what we do as journalists," said Amanpour. "It's what people are based on."
Amanpour said that in order to make a compelling story, journalists need to find dramatic context and the best people to tell that story, and in turn, make others understand how it relates to them.
In attendance was Dr. Mark Van Dyke, associate professor of communication, who said he met Amanpour during his time in Bosnia as Chief of Public Information for NATO's peace operations.
"During a press conference I held in Bosnia, I can remember Christiane asking me those critical questions to get more than a story, but to get the truth," said Van Dyke.
Marist senior Julie Lavin said she was a very inspirational and graceful speaker.
"I felt very honored and privileged to be in her presence," said Lavin. "It was interesting to hear the advice she gave to us as students and as prospective players in the field of communications."
During her acceptance speech, Amanpour referred back to the advice she gave students and noted the value of active minds and people who work from a grassroots mentality.
"Sitting on the sidelines is so yesterday," Amanpour said.
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