Date: May 14, 2008
Contact: Lindsay Gladstone
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: l-gladstone@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, IL, May 14, 2008 – Warner Saunders, co-anchor of the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts on Chicago’s NBC 5, will receive the honorary degree of Humane Letters from Governors State University during the Spring 2008 Commencement ceremony on June 7, at 11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel and Convention Center in Tinley Park.
More than 475 graduates earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in 50 different programs will also cross the stage during the ceremony as they are honored for their hard work and academic success.
“GSU itself is honored to present an honorary degree to Warner Saunders. He does more than report the news. He has been a tireless advocate for social justice in the Chicagoland region,” said Dr. Elaine P. Maimon, President of Governors State University. “He is a welcome presence in our living rooms on weekday nights. I say that even though he has not yet been able to persuade me to choose between the Sox and the Cubs.”
Many of his peers consider Mr. Saunders to be the most versatile performer and journalist in the history of Chicago television. He is the winner of 19 Emmys for news, sports, documentaries, children's programs, talk shows, and community town meetings. June marks his 40th year in Chicago television.
Mr. Saunders will also be recognized at a dinner in his honor on Friday, June 6, at Governors State University. His family, friends, and colleagues, as well as representatives of Governors State University will be present to offer congratulations, reminiscences, and reflections on Mr. Saunders’ achievements.
According to Dr. Maimon, “Warner Saunders is a great friend to GSU. He was the Master of Ceremonies at our installation celebration last November and has supported educational opportunity throughout his career.”
In addition to reporting on education issues in numerous stories and documentaries, Mr. Saunders has also taught in the Chicago Public Schools, National College of Education, Malcolm X College, Northeastern Illinois University, and Indiana University Northwest campus, where he was voted teacher of the year for two consecutive school terms.
