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Walter Cronkite, famous CBS anchorman known as “the most trusted man in America,” and long-time mentor to Arizona State University School of Journalism students, died today at his New York home. He was 92.
The illustrious journalist–after whom the ASU journalism program is named–has been a pivotal figure for the school and officials were scrambling this afternoon to respond to news of his death. (Facebook and Twitter were both abuzz.)
“Cronkite became intimately involved with ASU, advising the journalism school’s leadership, meeting with students and faculty, and traveling to Arizona each year to personally give the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism to a media leader,” according to the ASU Web site.
In honor of his passing, ASU has started an online memorial where people can share their photos and thoughts.
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“Walter Cronkite’s legacy will be experienced for years to come through the ASU school that bears his name,” said President of Arizona University Michael Crow on the school’s Web site. “Students who learn the craft of journalism at the university are held to the same basic tenants that Cronkite exemplified throughout his career – accuracy, timeliness and fairness. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
