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For the seventh administration in a row, Ann Compton is one of the most senior White House correspondents and currently works for ABC News Radio. She was one of the youngest journalists to be assigned to the White House and she’s visiting Sam Houston State University on Tuesday for the President’s Speaker Series in coordination with Priority One.
SHSU President Dana Gibson and the Warner Endowed Chair Department of Mass Communication Peter Roussel will conduct the 20th speaker series during which they will discuss Compton’s career in the world of journalism.
Rousell said that Priority One decided that Compton was a relevant choice for the talk.
“At the start of each semester, the members of Priority One have active discussions about potential clients for that semester and guests for their Mingling with the Media event,” Rousell said. “They discuss various possibilities and often a variety of suggestions occur. As a White House correspondent for ABC News, Ann Compton has covered seven presidents, so when her name came up the group felt she would be an interesting and timely choice.”
Rousell also said that he looks forward to meeting with Compton once again.
“During my years as a spokesperson for President Reagan, she was one of ABC News’ correspondents covering the White House, so it will be great to see her again and visit,” Rousell said. “Most importantly, I think it will be terrific for her to visit with students, to hear their views and offer advice on launching their careers.”
Compton’s unique journalistic achievements includes being inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame in 2000 and the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving the Silver Baton Alfred I duPont Award from Columbia University for her coverage of Sept. 11, and being the president-elect for the White House Correspondents’ Association in 2007.
She was also one of the few journalists allowed on Air Force One with President Bush, a privilege she shared with current White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. She was, however, the only broadcast journalist given the privilege.
Previous speakers include former attorney general Alberto Gonzales, MLB Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Nolan Ryan, former Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane, and Sen. Bob Dole.
The event will be held in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center on April 23 at 11:00 a.m.