BETHLEHEM, Pa. — News anchor Katie Couric is coming to Lehigh University.
Couric will speak about the media in today’s society on Tuesday, Sept. 17, as part of Lehigh’s continuing Compelling Perspectives series. It’s set for 5 p.m. at Zoellner Arts Center.
The talk is open to the public but space is limited. Registration is required and open through Sept. 10.
Couric was the first woman to solo anchor a network evening newscast, working as anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” from 2006 to 2011. That came after 15 years of co-anchoring NBC’s “Today” show.
She’s also a New York Times best-selling author, founder of Katie Couric Media and a cancer research advocate.
Previous speakers in the Compelling Perspectives series included Theresa May, the former U.K. prime minister, and Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense in the Obama administration.
The talk is open to the public but space is limited. Registration is required and open through Sept. 10.
Lehigh says its theme this year is the role of media in contemporary society. Moderated by university President Joseph Helble, the program is designed to model respectful public discourse and dialogue on complex issues.
“Mainstream media has long been considered a cornerstone of informed democracy,” the university says in its promotional materials. “It is lauded for its professional standards, editorial oversight, and commitment to fact-based reporting.
"This perspective will explore traditional media as a source of information, its challenges in the digital age (and the inherent contrasts in reporting from non-traditional media sources) and its role in fostering an informed electorate.”