Hobart and William Smith Colleges

As part of Homecoming and Family Weekend, HWS Trustee Bill Whitaker '73, L.H.D. '97 joined the President's Forum Series on Saturday, Oct. 3. Whitaker, of Los Angeles, Calif., has had a successful career in television journalism, and in 2014 was named a correspondent for CBS's acclaimed newsmagazine television program, "60 Minutes."

Lauded for his work, Whitaker has covered major national and international news stories throughout his career. Since 1984, he has covered many of the major breaking news events and issues of the day, including the pro-democracy uprising in Tienanmen Square in Beijing, the Persian Gulf War, the Unabomber case, the O.J. Simpson murder and civil trials, the Columbine school shootings, and the presidential campaign of George W. Bush. Whitaker also has covered many of the recent history-making events such as Nelson Mandela's memorial services, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti and immigration issues on the United States-Mexico border.

In 1989, Whitaker received an Emmy Award for a segment he did for "48 Hours." He was honored at the Minorities in Broadcasting Program seventh annual "Striving for Excellence Awards." He is also engaged in his community. Whitaker has been active in adult literacy tutoring programs, and he and his family have served meals in homeless shelters.

Whitaker has remained connected to his Geneva alma mater. He has been a well-received speaker at campus events throughout the years. In 1994 and 1999, he opened and then closed the more than $100 million capital campaign as the master of ceremonies at the campaign celebrations. In 1997, he was awarded an honorary degree by the Colleges for his service. He holds a master's degree from Boston University in African-American studies. He also attended the master of journalism program at the University of California at Berkeley.

This information is accurate for the time period that this person(s) spoke at Hobart and William Smith.