Alumni
Lew Klein Media Awards 2008
Lew Klein Alumni in the Media and Excellence in the Media Awards, named in honor of respected teacher and seasoned media professional Lew Klein, were created to recognize those who have distinguished themselves in their profession and made significant contributions in their fields and communities. The celebration is the signature event for the School of Communications and Theater.
All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Lew Klein Excellence Fund, which provides scholarship for students to pursue internships, study abroad or create their own independent projects.
The 2008 event was held on October 22 at the Great Court of Mitten Hall, on Temple University's main campus.
To see a slideshow from this year's event, click here.
To view video from this year's award ceremony, click here.
2008 Awards Recipients:
- Maria Bartiromo, Anchor for CNBC
- Ed Cunningham, '69 Producer, WHYY
- Doug Gaston, '83, Senior Vice President & Legal Counsel, Comcast Cable
- Diane Heery, '76 , Casting Director Heery Casting, LLC
- Robin Mackintosh , '71, Reporter, Retired, CBS 3
- Al Shrier, '53, Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Temple University
- Suzanne Smith, '83, Producer and Director, CBS Sports
- Yair Stern, '70, Former Director General Israel Television
The Master of Ceremonies was Renee Chenault-Fattah, Anchor for NBC10.
The Excellence in the Media Honoree
Maria Bartiromo, Anchor for CNBC
Maria Bartiromo is the anchor of CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" and host of the nationally syndicated "Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo." An award-winning broadcaster, columnist and best-selling author, she has been named one of the most influential business journalists in the United States.
Her "Wall Street Journal Report," a half-hour weekly newscast offering business, financial and economic news in a television magazine format, was recently rated the most watched financial news program in America.
Bartiromo graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in economics. She joined CNBC in 1993 after five years as a producer and assignment editor with CNN Business News.
Two years later, Bartiromo became the first journalist to report live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. She reported from the NYSE for 10 years on a daily basis, covering breaking news for the unscripted and fast-paced business morning program, "Squawk Box."
In 1996, Bartiromo was nominated for a CableACE Award for her three-part series on the Internet and its implications for investors. In 2002, Bartiromo was nominated for a Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism for her piece on the widows of September 11.
Bartiromo received a Gracie Award in May 2008 in the category of Outstanding Documentary for "Greenspan: Power, Money & the American Dream." She received the Coalition of Italo-American Associations' Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award in 1997. The Union League of Philadelphia awarded her its prestigious Lincoln Statue Award in 2004 for significant contributions to the United States of America.
Bartiromo writes a weekly column in BusinessWeek magazine entitled "FaceTime with Maria Bartiromo" and also contributes to a weekly financial column for Milano Finanza newspaper. She has written monthly columns for Individual Investor, Ticker and Reader's Digest magazines. She also has been published in Financial Times, Newsweek, Town and Country, Registered Rep and the New York Post.
Her HarperCollins book, "Use the News: How to Separate the Noise from the Investment Nuggets and Make Money in Any Economy" was on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
She has made numerous appearances on non-financial television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Live with Regis and Kelly.
Bartiromo is on the boards of New York University, the New York City Ballet, the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York and PENCIL, a non-profit group focusing on improving New York high schools. In addition, she is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a member of The Wharton Leadership Advisory board. Proud of her Italian American heritage, she is a member of the Board of Governors of the Columbus Citizens Foundation and has anchored the television coverage of New York City's Columbus Day Parade since 1995.
Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Ed Cunningham, '69 Producer, WHYY
Ed Cunningham is best known as the unmistakable "voice of WHYY." During his 30-year career at TV12 and 91FM, the famed announcer has also built a reputation as an award-winning producer of history and fund-raising programs for the Philadelphia public broadcasting station.
A lifelong Philadelphia resident, Cunningham began his broadcasting career as an announcer for WDVR. In 1969, he joined classical music station WFLN, the same year he received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Temple University. He became a booth announcer for WHYY-TV in 1972, as well as host of an interview program on WUHY-FM (now WHYY-FM).
He was radio music director from 1973-1979, before moving to television production in 1980. He produced WHYY-TV on-air member drives from 1986 to 1998, and has since been producing documentaries on the history and culture of the Philadelphia region.
Cunningham has been responsible for such popular and award-winning WHYY programs as Things That Aren't There Anymore, South Philly Italian Style, Philadelphia's Fabulous Sports Memories and It's a Mitzvah! Jewish Life in the Delaware Valley. His Rizzo, A Walk Up Broad Street and Secrets Beneath the Streets are also among his productions highlighting key features of the region. Holy Philadelphia won Cunningham an Excellence in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, Philadelphia Chapter.
His newest documentaries include Philly's Favorite Kids Show Hosts and The Philly Food Show. His blog on whyy.org, called "Ed Cunningham's Philadelphia" focuses on fun peculiarities of the region.
Cunningham currently serves as host for the 91FM series Sunday Showcase, a weekly broadcast featuring classical ensembles in the tri-state area. He has served as President of the Mozart Society of Philadelphia, an organization of which he has also been a board member for 20 years.
His civic involvement includes service on the board, and volunteering for, the Associated Services for the Blind. He has been a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Monica's Parish. He has also been on the Board of Directors of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.
Doug Gaston, '83, Senior Vice President & Legal Counsel, Comcast Cable
Doug Gaston serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Comcast Cable, the country's leading entertainment and communications company. In this position, he serves as principal legal counsel to the company's senior management and oversees a team of legal advisors who provide day-to-day legal support to the company's operating departments.
Gaston received his bachelor's degree in Radio, Television and Film from Temple University in 1983. He then worked at Suburban Cable Television in Delaware County, Pa., where he was responsible for local origination, access programming and advertising production.
Gaston held a similar position for Harron Cable in Malvern prior to joining WPHL-TV in Philadelphia as a producer/director.
He holds a J.D. from Villanova University Law School, where he served as a staff member of the Villanova Law Review. He began his legal career as a judicial clerk to the Hon. Jan E. Dubois, United States District Court.
Before joining Comcast, Gaston was an associate in the business and finance department at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP. While there, he worked on mergers and acquisitions, municipal finance and other corporate transactions.
Prior to becoming General Counsel of Comcast Cable, Gaston served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. In that role, he was responsible for managing the Operations Section of the Cable Law Department.
Gaston is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group. He resides in Bryn Mawr.
Diane Heery, '76 , Casting Director, Heery Casting, LLC
Diane Heery is a casting director with over 20 years of experience who is a member of the prestigious Casting Society of America. She has cast principal actors in major studio films, independent feature films and network television series.
Heery grew up in the Tacony section of northeast Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University's Department of Theater in 1976. As an actor, she appeared in over 25 regional and touring shows for the stage and has performed in numerous commercials and films, such as "Dead Poets Society."
Since founding Heery Casting, Heery's casting credits include "The Happening," "The Lovely Bones," "Invincible," "National Treasure," "Rocky Balboa" and, most recently, "Marley and Me" and "Transformers 2."
She has cast for the CBS-TV series "Cold Case" and for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" for FX. A partial list of independent films she has cast includes "The Woodsman," "Shadowboxer," "Our Lady of Victory," "Shelter," "Dream of the Romans" and "Happy Tears." Heery also works as a production consultant for independent filmmakers and donates her services to student filmmakers in the Philadelphia area.
Heery has served on the Board of Directors of the Screen Actors' Guild. She is an active member of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, the Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association and the Media Communications Association. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the South Jersey High School for Performing Arts.
Heery notes that she is indebted to her husband, Patrick McDade, to Jason Loftus, C.S.A. and to "the wonderful staff of Heery Casting, who are such an integral part of the company's success."
Robin Mackintosh , '71, Reporter, Retired, CBS 3
Robin Mackintosh is a recently retired veteran KYW3 Eyewitness News reporter. Known as a "reporter's reporter", he has covered the major events affecting the Delaware Valley during the last 35 years.
Mackintosh's journalism career began at the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, where he worked from 1964 to 1968. He moved to the Virgin Islands in 1969 to work for the Virgin Island Daily News as a reporter.
During summer vacations while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in English and Communications from Temple University, he worked as a police officer in Avalon, New Jersey. Following his appearance in a summer feature shot by CBS 3, the station news director offered Mackintosh a newsroom job. He joined CBS 3 in September 1970, the year before he received his Temple degree. He had previously worked for three years as a news writer for sister station KYW Newsradio.
Mackintosh is one of the most familiar voices in Philadelphia television news. He has interviewed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Grace and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. He accompanied the late John Cardinal Krol to Ireland and produced "To Ireland with Love," a 1973 feature report on the violence there. None of his work was more poignant than his live broadcasts for five straight days from New York City after September 11th.
His career honors include a Philadelphia Emmy Award in 1986 for feature reporting. He also received a Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award for spot news. In 1983, he was granted a special honor presented by President Ronald Reagan at the White House for a series on volunteerism.
He and his wife, Barbara, have three children and two grandchildren. They split their time between their home in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania and their summer home in Avalon.
Al Shrier, '53, Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Temple University
Al Shrier is Special Assistant to Temple University's Athletic Director. He also is known as the dean among national college Sports Information Directors, thanks to his 55 years of service to the university.
Shrier graduated from Temple with a journalism degree in 1953. He chose Temple over other job opportunities and went to work in the Athletic Department as Sports Information Director at the urging of Athletic Director Josh Cody. When Ernie Casale became Athletic Director years later, Shrier moved into business management and served as Assistant Director of Athletics. Although Shrier officially retired from his position as Temple Sports Information Director in 1995, he returned to the post during the 1995-96 academic year.
The many honors that Shrier has received make him the most decorated collegiate public relations professional in the history of Philadelphia athletics. He is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Temple University, Philadelphia Big 5, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fames. Shrier was presented with a CoSIDA Silver Plate for his many years of service to the organization.
He also has been honored by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the All-American Football Foundation and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Shrier is past president of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association.
In 2004, his years of dedication to Temple were rewarded as he was immortalized with his own bobblehead doll, making him the first administrator in the history of NCAA athletics to be so honored. The doll holds Shrier's trademark omnipresent briefcase, whose mysterious contents have been carefully guarded from prying eyes through the years.
Shrier's current role places him in charge of credentials, media services and hospitality at Temple sporting events. The Media Room at The Liacouras Center – where media members gather before games to mull story angles and after games for comments from coaches and players – is named in Shrier's honor.
Suzanne Smith, '80, Producer and Director, CBS Sports
Suzanne Smith is Director for CBS Sports coverage for The NFL On CBS. She also is Director of Coverage of college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
Smith graduated from Temple University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in Radio, Television and Film. While in college, Smith played volleyball and softball for Temple, having received the first volleyball scholarship awarded by the University.
She credits a university-sponsored internship at WPHL with helping her to make connections in the world of television production. Station administrators asked her to return the following semester, which led to freelance gigs for the Phillies, the morning news show at WKBS in Philadelphia and Big Five college basketball. When the NFL went on strike in 1982, CBS and other networks filled the air time with boxing from Atlantic City, which introduced Smith to the major networks.
The three-time Emmy Award-winner joined CBS Sports in 1983 as a production assistant and quickly took on roles as an associate producer and associate director. Her first directing credit came in 1988 for coverage of the indoor volleyball championships. In 1989, she received a Directors Guild of America Award.
Smith has since worked on a variety of events, including the 1992, 1994 and 1996 Olympic Winter Games. She has produced and directed coverage for college football, golf, tennis, boxing, track and field, NBA, car racing and cycling (Tour de France).
She also served as replay director of CBS coverage of Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XXXVIII. For the network's coverage of Super Bowl XLI, Smith produced the "Baghdad Bowl" segment for The Super Bowl Today featuring a touch football game between U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq.
In 2004, she served as director for Turner Sports coverage of the NBA Playoffs. Smith directed Oxygen's WNBA coverage during the summer of 2003. She has also directed the Live Academy Awards Special for WE Entertainment.
In addition to her CBS roles in NFL and basketball coverage, Smith now is the coordinating producer for CBS Sports' coverage of skiing, mountain biking and the American Le Mans Series. She also serves as director for the Green Bay Packers pre-season games and for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships international feed.
Smith serves on the boards of the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Plancher Orthopedic Foundation. She is a volunteer for PASE, the Partnership for After School Education. For the past eight years, she has been a mentor with the Connecticut School Mentor Program.
Yair Stern, '70, Former Director General Israel Television
Yair Stern is the former Director General of Israel Television. He has been a guiding force in the development of Israel's television programming and in the management of that country's broadcast operations.
Stern began his career began as a reporter for Maariv, the largest daily newspaper in Israel, while he studied political science at the University of Tel Aviv. In 1968, he came to the United States and received a master's degree in journalism from Temple University in 1970.
Stern joined Israel National Television as a sportscaster and in 1974 moved to the news division. Five years later, he was appointed as the news division's chief producer. In 1982, he became editor-in-chief of the Evening News. Under his leadership, the division received the highest journalistic award in Israel, the Sokolov Prize, for coverage of the war in Lebanon. He then became head of the News division.
In 1989, Stern was sent to Washington D.C. as a correspondent and Bureau Chief. His coverage of the Gulf War in 1991 garnered the Israel Broadcasting Authority Excellence Award.
Stern was nominated in 1993 as Director General of Israel Television, which was then the only TV channel in Israel. In that role, Stern went to China to sign a cooperation agreement between Israel TV and China's national TV. He also was chairman of both the Israeli Chief Editors Group and of Israel's TV Rating Supervision Board.
Additionally, he served as a member of the News Committee of the European Broadcasting Union, which strives for better international cooperation between News divisions on the continent. He also was a member of the Academy of the International Emmy Awards. Stern received a special award for producing the Eurovision Song Contest in Jerusalem in 1999.
After he retired from Israel TV in 2000, he became a private media consultant. He headed a national committee in 2001 to supervise the founding of a second commercial TV channel in Israel. In 2003, he was appointed to chair a task force to save Israeli educational TV. From 2004 to 2006, he was programming advisor to the Israeli FCC for cable and satellite channels.
Stern's involvement in community affairs includes serving as the Chairman of Freedom Fighters for Israeli Heritage and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
Stern and his wife Hadassah have four children and four grandchildren.
Related Links
Access to Excellence: The 125th Anniversary Campaign for Temple
Contact
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1938 Liacouras Walk
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Ashley Lomery
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Katharine Wiseman
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Jeff Cronin
Assistant Director of Communications
215-204-9307