Maria Hinojosa accepting Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award

About Murrow Symposium

WHAT IS THE MURROW SYMPOSIUM?

Murrow Symposium gives students the opportunity to gain insights from seasoned communication professionals and for professionals to share their expertise with the next generation.

The Murrow Symposium is a series of events designed for high-level discussion, leading innovation and strategy development for thought leaders who are passionate and influential in the world of communication.

Through a mixture of industry experts, speakers, interactive experiences and opportunities for conversation, the Murrow Symposium explores the communication industry, our challenges and accomplishments and opportunities for development and growth.

Our audience includes those looking to gain insight and inspiration into the advertising, public relations, science communication, communication technology, and journalism and media production industries. The Murrow Symposium is crucial for communication students and professionals who exemplify a commitment to excellence and integrity emblematic of Murrow’s career and legacy.

Lisa Young Speaking
Lisa Young (’02) delivering her keynote speech on “Perspective” & her career in Sports Communication.
Symposium Panel
Symposium 48 Panel titled: “Welcome to New York! How Big Involvement in College Helped Launch Murrow Alums to the Big Apple”.
Rick Boyce Advising Student
Murrow Professional Advisory Board member & Hall of Achievement (’15) honoree Rick Boyce (’84) coaching current Murrow student.

Symposium 50: The Murrow Standard: Built on Legacy. Defining the Future

April 6-8, 2026

Join us & discover how curiosity can lead to powerful insights & lasting connections at this year’s 50th annual Murrow Symposium.

Learn More
Student at Symposium

CULTIVATING CAREER CONNECTIONS

The Murrow Symposium celebrates new thinking in communication – innovative ways to address our challenges, concepts that build our industry and opportunities for collaboration among industry leaders.

Doug Thielen talking to students

INSPIRING INDUSTRY PROGRESS

We invite thought leaders from a variety of disciplines to share their work at Murrow Symposium, providing a dynamic force for progress in communication and media. We seek to inspire leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

Student presenting project

RESEARCH, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Murrow Symposium brings together experts in various fields of communication to teach and interact, which serves to elevate Murrow College, Washington State University and the broader communication industry.

Symposium History

Long before the University began honoring journalistic excellence with awards, the College of Communication was at the forefront of communication excellence. Beginning in the 1970s, the College of Communication created thought-provoking forums and discussions focused on topics such as:

  • The First Amendment and Broadcasting
  • International Rights of Media News Flow
  • Reshaping American Democracy
  • The Information Society: The Ethical and Social Issues
  • The Murrow Heritage: Challenge for the Future
  • Ally or Adversary? The Press in International Affairs
  • Violence in America: Is TV to Blame?

The Murrow Symposium is an annual program that acknowledges exceptional achievement in communication, celebrates scholarship, and connects students to industry professionals. The symposium began more than 30 years ago as a panel discussion and lecture series designed to honor the legacy of Murrow, regarded as a broadcasting icon because of the news reporting and ethical standards he brought to his craft.

Since the 1990s, the Murrow School has honored the achievements of top leaders in the communication industry at the symposium. Each year’s honoree presents a public address on campus to highlight the symposium.

Daily Evergreen Newspaper 1978
The Daily Evergreen, Vol. 84 No. 105, Tuesday, April 25, 1978
Murrow Hall 1954
Old Arts Hall, now Murrow Hall, pictured in 1954 prior to rennovation.