Annual Unity Celebration

The annual Student Affairs Unity Celebration
keynote speaker was 

                                 BYRON PITTS
  
a multiple Emmy award winning journalist and individual who has overcome great odds to see his success.

Monday, February 20 at 7 pm                
Clement Auditorium


As Chief National Correspondent for CBS Evening News With Katie Couric Pitts was an embedded reporter covering the Iraq War and was recognized for his work under fire. Pitts was also CBS’ lead correspondent at Ground Zero immediately following the September 11th attacks and won an Emmy for his coverage. A news veteran with over 20 years of experience, other major stories include the war in Afghanistan, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the military buildup in Kuwait and the refugee crisis in Kosovo, to name but a few. Pitts realized a life-long goal when he was named a Contributing Correspondent to CBS’ 60 Minutes in 2009.

Pitts’ many achievements are all the more extraordinary when he tells of the many obstacles he faced as a child.

Raised by a single mother in a working class neighborhood in Baltimore, Pitts was illiterate until the age of twelve and had a persistent stutter. Capitalizing on his desire to play football, his mother mandated he receive Bs or above in school in order to play. With that focus, Pitts learned to read and went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. With the help of his roommate and a college professor, Pitts found the support and encouragement necessary to pursue a career in broadcast journalism–a field that demands excellence in writing and speaking. By staying focused, setting simple and achievable goals and finding strength in faith, Pitts overcame his powerful odds and his disability. He graduated in 1982 with a BA in Journalism and Speech Communication.

At the podium, he shared his incredible story of perseverance and strength and inspires audiences to reach for their dreams.    His memoir, Step Out On Nothing: How Family and Faith Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, was released in 2009.  His memoir was praised by 60 Minutes Correspondent Lesly Stahl as “truly moving.”   Katie Couric also praised Pitts’ work, saying, “No wonder he is such an inspired storyteller—his own story is inspiring.”

His book was the common reading for the spring APSU 1000 students at APSU this year.     
Pitts Memoir

Pitts’ grit and determination shone throughout his career as well, garnering him several prestigious awards including a national Emmy Award for his coverage of the Chicago train wreck of 1999, a National Association of Black Journalists Award and second national Emmy Award for individual reporting of September 11th.  He is also the recipient of four Associated Press Awards and six regional Emmy Awards.

The Student Affairs Unity Celebration provides an opportunity for APSU students, faculty and staff to come together and celebrate our campus community, and to hear about social issues along with members of the greater Clarksville community.  This program is coordinated by the director of Student Affairs Programs and Services bryantt@apsu.edu.

PAST SPEAKERS FOR THE UNITY CELEBRATION:

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr - (2010)   Environmental Lawyer and Activist

Judy Shepard - (2009)   Activist, Author and Mother of Murdered Student
                                       Matthew Shepard

Dr. Walter Kimbrough - (2008) President of Philander-Smith College and
                                                  Author

Nikki Giovanni - (2007)  Poet, Author, Professor and Activist


Manning Marable - National Leader in the Fields of African American and
                                Ethnic Studies

Benjamin Chavis - Civil Rights Activist

Alex Haley - Author

Giancarlo Esposito - Actor

Holly Thompson - WSMV News Anchor