For more than five decades, the Edward R. Murrow Symposium has honored the values of truth, integrity, and courageous communication by bringing leading voices in journalism and media to Washington State University. Since its inaugural gathering in 1973, focused on Threats to the Public’s Right to Know, the Symposium has evolved into a rich tradition of dialogue, reflection, and mentorship. Over the years, keynote speakers and honorees such as Eric Sevareid, Nina Totenberg, Ted Koppel, Diane Sawyer, and Fred Friendly have shaped conversations on media ethics, democratic responsibility, and the future of communication. This timeline highlights the milestones, themes, and influential figures that have defined each Symposium, illustrating how the event has continually responded to the evolving media while upholding the enduring Murrow legacy.
1973
Henry T. Loomis, Regent Frances Penrose Owen, Janet Murrow, and a fourth person stand by a painting of Edward R. Murrow done by Spokane artist Mary E. Parker.
1st Annual Symposium Threats to the Public’s Right to Know
Honorees
Eric Sevareid, CBS News
Harry S. Ashmore, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
Henry Loomis, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
1977
4th Annual Symposium The Press and the Public: The Journalists Dilemma
Keynote Speaker
Richard S. Salant, CBS News
Participant
Kay Wight, CBS Sports
1978
5th Annual Symposium First Amendment and Broadcasting
Honorees
Bill Monroe, NBC
Nicholas Johnson, Federal Communications Commission
Nina Totenberg, NPR
1979
6th Annual Symposium The International Rights of Media News Flow
Keynote Speaker
Ted Koppel
1980
7th Annual Symposium Mass Media and the Political Process: Reshaping American Democracy
Keynote Speaker
David Garcia, ABC News
1983
Scan of a newspaper titled “Hilltopics” featuring the 1983 Symposium guests, including CBS President Van Gorton Sauter, with past presidents Fred Friendly, Richard Salant, William Leonard, and Sig Mickelson. Diane Sawyer is also pictured with WSU President Glenn Terrell.
9th Annual Symposium The Murrow Heritage: A Challenge for the Future
Keynote Speaker
Diane Sawyer
Moderator
Fred Friendly
Participants
Charles Kuralt
Richard S. Salant
Barry Serafin
Bob Faw
Kay Wight
1984
10th Annual Symposium Ally or Adversary? The Press in International Affairs
Edward R. Murrow Award for Distinguised Achievement in Journalism
Michael Sullivan/FRONTLINE
2008
Newspaper clipping of Don Hewitt receiving his Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism from WSU President Elson S. Floyd and Murrow College’s Erica Austin.
34th Annual Symposium Living the Murrow Legacy
Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism
Murrow College’s founding Dean, Lawrence Pintak, is shaking hands with Deborah Amos, who was presented with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism.
36th Annual Symposium Transformational Media/Advancing the Murrow Legacy: Ethics and Responsibility in the New Media Landscape
Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Radio
