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| A Driving Force Behind a Successful Business Community in Martinsville, Virginia |
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| Martinsville-Henry County Online Magazine |
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Patrick Henry Community College |
All Events |
| Monday, Feb 08 9:30 AM |
| Postponed - Bryon Pitts Event at PHCC |
| CBS News Chief National Correspondent & Contributi |
| Location: PHCC's Stone Hall |
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This event has been postponed. More details when we get a new date.
Byron Pitts, guest speaker coming to Patrick Henry Community College has been postponed.
CBS News Chief National Correspondent and Contributing Correspondent to 60 Minutes. Telling his story of success against all odds, Byron Pitts, CBS News Chief National Correspondent and Contributing Correspondent to 60 Minutes, will be a guest speaker at Patrick Henry Community College in February. “A Conversation with Byron Pitts” is free and open to the public and is will be rescheduled.
Known for his thought-provoking coverage and his commitment to exceptional storytelling, Byron Pitts is a multiple Emmy award-winning journalist. 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. He 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 more than 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 realize 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 12 and had a persistent stutter. Capitalizing on his desire to play football, his mother mandated that he receive Bs or above in order to play. With that focus, he learned to read and went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. With the help of his roommate and a college professor, he 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 powerful odds. He graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Speech Communication.
“We believe that Mr. Pitts’ story will resonate with many people,” said Carolyn Byrd, Dean of Instructional Support Services at PHCC. “Despite his personal struggles, he has achieved great things, and can be an inspiration to others. He has demonstrated that people actually can accomplish their goals, despite what they have been told by others.”
Praised by 60 Minutes Correspondent Lesley Stahl as “truly moving,” Pitts tells his incredible story in his memoir Step Out on Nothing: How Family and Faith Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges (2009). Pitts shares how his faith saw him through his many struggles, and how a few key people “stepped out on nothing” to help him change his life. Katie Couric praised Pitts’ work, saying, “No wonder he is such an inspired storyteller – his own life is inspiring.”
Pitts’ grit and determination shone throughout his illustrious 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. At the podium, he shares his incredible story of perseverance and strength, and inspires audiences to reach for their dreams.
Pitts’ appearance in February officially kicks off the college’s new Progress Initiative, which concentrates on helping students succeed and persevere in the classroom.
Additional information may be available at:
www.ph.vccs.edu
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