Ashford University has selected nationally renowned broadcast journalist, Susan Stamberg, to be the keynote speaker for its winter graduation ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. A special correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), Stamberg was the first woman to anchor a national nightly news program and has won every major award in broadcasting.  In 1994, she was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and, in 1996, into the Radio Hall of Fame. 

Stemberg will present the commencement address at Ashford’s three graduation ceremonies in December, to be held at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Three ceremonies are needed due to the large number of graduates anticipated. 

Stamberg is one of the pioneers of National Public Radio, on staff since the network began in 1971.  Beginning in 1972, and for 14 years, she served as co-host of NPR's award-winning newsmagazine “All Things Considered.”  She then hosted “Weekend Edition Sunday,” NPR's morning newsmagazine, from its premiere in January 1987 through October 1989, and, in addition to reporting on cultural issues for all NPR programs, now serves as guest host of NPR's “Morning Edition,” and “Weekend Edition Saturday.” 

One of the most popular broadcasters in public radio, she is well-known for her conversational style, intelligence, and knack for finding an interesting story.  Herinterviewing has been called “fresh,” “friendly,” “down-to-earth,” and (by novelist E.L. Doctorow), “the closest thing to an enlightened humanist on the radio.”  Her thousands of interviews include conversations with Laura Bush, Annie Liebowitz, Rosa Parks, Norah Jones and James Baldwin.   

Prior to joining NPR, Stamberg served as producer, program director and general manager of NPR member station, WAMU-FM/Washington, D.C.  She is the author of two books and co-editor of a third. “TALK: NPR's Susan Stamberg Considers All Things” chronicles her two decades with NPR.  Her first book was “Every Night at Five: Susan Stamberg's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED Book.” 

In addition to her Hall of Fame inductions, other recognitions include the Armstrong and Dupont Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Ohio State University's Golden Anniversary Director's Award, and the Distinguished Broadcaster Award from American Women in Radio and Television.  Stamberg also received a Jefferson Fellowship for Journalism from the East-West Center in Hawaii. 

A native of New York City, Stamberg earned a bachelor's degree from Barnard College, and has been awarded numerous honorary degrees including a Doctor of Humane Letters from Dartmouth College.  She is a Fellow of Silliman College, Yale University, and serves on the board of the PEN/Faulkner Fiction Award Foundation. 

Stamberg has hosted several series on PBS, moderated three Fred Rogers television specials for adults, served as commentator, guest, and co-host on various commercial TV programs, appeared as a narrator in performance with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, and her voice could be heard on Broadway in the Wendy Wasserstein play “An American Daughter.” 

She is married to Louis C. Stamberg, recently retired from the Department of State's Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C.  They have one son, Joshua, an actor. 

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is a coeducational institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, with programs in education, business, accounting, criminal and social justice, computer animation and graphic design, and other areas.  The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a range of student activities and athletics, at its Clinton campus.  Online degree programs are available in education, organizational management, business administration, and psychology.  The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable on-campus and online programs, with tuition fees among the lowest in the U.S. compared to other private institutions.  Its tagline is: “Higher Education Made Affordable”^SM.  For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858/513-9240 x2513.