CHESTERTOWN — Emmy-nominated journalist John J. Harwood will be on campus at Washington College next week to deliver the annual Richard L. Harwood Lecture in American Journalism.
Sponsored by the college’s Rose O’Neill Literary House, the event is Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in Decker Theater of the Gibson Center for the Arts. It also will be livestreamed.
The public is invited.
There is no cost. Tickets are not required.
The event will feature a conversation with Roy Kesey, associate director of the Rose O’Neill Literary House, with the theme of “Truth in Unsettling Times.”
This is part of an annual lecture series established to honor the dedication to “truth and beauty” exemplified by John Harwood’s father, Richard L. Harwood, an accomplished and well-respected journalist and editor known for his exacting reporting and his poetic touch.
Richard Harwood’s 50-year career in reporting included three decades at The Washington Post.
Named to the Hall of Fame of the Society of Professional Journalists in 1997, he also was a trustee, journalism advisor and adjunct professor at Washington College.
The lecture series has previously hosted distinguished voices such as Susan Goldberg, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, Karl Rove and Cokie Roberts.
Over the course of his career spanning three decades, John Harwood has served as chief Washington correspondent for CNBC and reported for CNN, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as offered political analysis to NBC, MSNBC, NPR and PBS. He has interviewed every U.S. president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden and was part of the WSJ’s 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning team covering the 9/11 attacks.
During his visit next week, Harwood will engage directly with the Washington College campus community.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, he will meet with students in “The Art of Rhetoric” class to discuss “The Central Park 5 and Journalism as Documentary.”
He also will sit for an interview with the editor-in-chief of The Elm and attend a luncheon with members of the 1782 Society.
“It’s an honor to have John Harwood back at Washington College to visit classes, talk with student journalists, and to discuss the importance of truth in deeply unsettling, divided times,” said James Allen Hall, director of the Rose O’Neill Literary House. “His experience moderating debates and town halls gives him a unique perspective on the role of the journalist in shaping public affairs. It is a great delight to give our students the chance to learn from such a dedicated journalist and public servant.”
For more information, visit Washington College’s events calendar.
In addition to the lecture, Washington College is announcing the launch of the Richard L. Harwood Scholarship.
This four-year renewable scholarship will be awarded for the first time this coming fall to an incoming first-year student with proven talent in journalistic writing or nonfiction writing about public affairs.
“The scholarship aims to support the next generation of truth-seekers,” a news release states.
Recipients are encouraged to engage with the college’s journalism programs and student-led publications such as The Elm newspaper.
