International journalist and CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper will be AU’s second “Wonk of the Year.” The award was first given to former president Bill Clinton in January of 2012.
He will speak at AU on Oct. 19 at 8:15 p.m. in Bender Arena and the event will be hosted by The Kennedy Political Union.
Tickets to the 2013 “Wonk of The Year” award presentation will be released in coming weeks and will be free to AU students and faculty, according to a Kennedy Political Union press release.
The award was created to “recognize a well-known individual who represents the embodiment of a wonk,” according to the AU website. “Someone passionate, focused and engaged who uses their knowledge and influence to create meaningful change in the world.”
Cooper, who began his career in journalism in 1992, is well known for his role on CNN as the host of AC 360°. In this nightly news broadcast, Cooper strives to keep politicians and lawmakers honest through investigative reporting, according to the CNN website.
“Anderson Cooper is a proven innovator in the field of broadcast journalism,” KPU Director Chandler Thornton said in a KPU press release.
Prior to his position at CNN, Cooper held many international correspondent positions that allowed him to cover conflicts in Rwanda, Somalia, Bosnia and many other high conflict areas.
Cooper has produced numerous award-winning stories, including his coverage of the earthquake in Haiti that received 2 Emmy awards.
He has also been dubbed a “media hero” by many media outlets for a bold moment in which he stepped out of his journalist role to save a Haitian boy from looters.
“I saw him collapse…Blood was pouring from his head…I was afraid he’d get killed. No one seemed to be helping him,” Cooper said of the incident in a blog on the CNN website.
sgaber@theeagleonline.com
