DLS speaker: That’s the Pitts

By Tabitha Barr / Editor in Chief

Dillon Lecture Series “Nightline” Co-Anchor Byron Pitts March 10, 10:30AM Hutchinson Sports Arena Students enter free with ID

Being a journalist in today’s society is difficult, but to be an Emmy Award-winning and current co-anchor of “Nightline” on ABC is incredible. Byron Pitts is a nationally-known journalist, who has been a reporter for many news outlets and continues to share his knowledge and experience with the world.

Pitts will be the next speaker at the Dillon Lecture Series at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

Pitts has overcome obstacles throughout his life to become an honorable and respected journalist. His youth was tough, as he was functionally illiterate and had a stutter. He worked to conquer his stutter and proceeded to attend college at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he pursued journalism and speech communication.

In his early years of being employed, he worked for a local news station, where he covered local news and was the weekend sports anchor. He got his foot in the door and was opened to a whole new world with his prior experience.

His first big career milestone was working at CBS News as the Chief National Correspondent for “The CBS Evening News.” This is when Pitts started accumulating an audience and impacting more people. When 9/11 happened, Pitts reported on the terrorist attacks and won an Emmy for his coverage.

He also made history as he was named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists in 2002. This program highlights black journalists and their accomplishments in the writing world.

At this point in his career, Pitts had experience in almost all areas of journalism and reporting. He decided to write a memoir called, “Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges” in 2009. It told of his life and how he powered through and learned how to do what he loves without his stutter stopping him.

In 2013, Pitts decided to leave CBS News and start a career with ABC News. Most people have a tough first day on the job, but Pitts could take the cake. In less than 24 hours at ABC, he was put on the live coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing investigation. He was thrown into an important news event and took it in stride and performed stellarly.

ABC News could see the passion that Pitts has for the job and let him take on stories all over the country. He’s covered live events, protests, riots and more.

Just a year later in 2014, Pitts was promoted to co-anchor on ABC’s “Nightline.” He still holds this position currently and continues to report national news stories.

HutchCC students can attend for free with their student ID.

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