Robin Roberts awarded Distinguished Alumni Award by AASCU
Contact: Rene Abadie
10/28/11
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HAMMOND – Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” and a 1983 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, has been recognized with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Presented Tuesday (Oct. 25) at AASCU’s annual meeting in Boston, the award is given annually to an individual known nationally or internationally who has made a significant contribution to the public, intellectual or cultural life of the nation. Previous award winners have included broadcasters Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather, U.S. Gen. Tommy Franks, Colin Powell, and Sen. Robert Dole.
Roberts was nominated for the award by Southeastern President John L. Crain, who assisted with her award presentation.
“We’re proud that Robin was selected for this award from a list of very honorable nominees,” said Crain. “At Southeastern, we have all known what a treasure she is and how her personal and professional achievements have made her a true role model. We’re happy that AASCU concurs with our sentiments.”
Crain said that as a student, Roberts learned basic broadcasting skills at Southeastern’s KSLU radio station and as the part time sports director at Hammond’s local radio stations, went into broadcasting upon graduation and eventually worked her way up to a position with ESPN, hosting “SportsCenter” and contributing regularly to “NFL Primetime.” She joined the “Good Morning America” team in 2005.
Last year, Southeastern officially retired Roberts’ jersey in a ceremony at the University Center where she played for the Lady Lions from 1979 to 1983. The 1996 Southeastern Alumnus of the Year in, she has been named to the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame and to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame by the WNBA. In 2006 she was named one of the NCAA’s “100 Most Influential Student-Athletes” in conjunction with the NCAA Centennial Celebration.
Roberts, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, has been honored for her efforts to call attention to the disease, receiving awards from the Susan G. Koman Foundation and the Congresssional Families Cancer Prevention Program.
A native of Pass Christian, Miss., she resides in New York.
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