Folks in Huntsville Say Newsman Rather Will Be Missed
By Matt Pederson/Staff Writer
The Huntsville Item
 |
| CBS anchor Dan
Rather returned to Sam Houston State University in
April to help celebrate
the 125th anniversary of the university's founding.
Concerning his planned retirement, SHSU president James
F. Gaertner Tuesday called him a "brave
reporter and anchor." |
While some were expecting Dan Rather tostep down as anchor
for the "CBS Evening News," others were surprised
to hear Tuesday's announcement.
Rather, who replaced Walter Cronkite in 1981 has battled
through triumph and tragedy, success and controversy, and
after nearly
a quarter century, Rather will become a correspondent for
both editions of "60 Minutes."
Rather graduated in 1953 from Sam Houston State Teachers College,
and over the years, moved up the television ranks, starting
his television career as news director of KTRK-TV in Houston.
The news of Rather's resignation spread around Huntsville quickly
Tuesday. People here said Rather was a real professional. From
his days at KSAM Radio to his 42-year stint with CBS, Rather
has always had a nose for news.
"
He's been a very brave reporter and anchor in many ways," SHSU
President James Gaertner said. "My wife and I have gotten
to know him personally, and he is one of the most gracious
men I have ever met. He is a fine gentleman and has had a
truly outstanding
career."
Not only was Rather's character spoken highly of here, but
his attachment to his school was as well. SHSU public relations
director
Frank Krystyniak said he will never forget how Rather was always
willing to help out the university, whether making visits to
the school or helping them out with promotional material.
"
He has always been very proud that he graduated from Sam Houston
State Teachers College," Krystyniak said. "He has
always been very helpful when we've asked him to do things,
like recruiting
videos - we've sent scripts there that he would read and
tape on the set of CBS news - and he has come back many times
for
things like commencements, the 200th birthday of Gen. Sam
Houston, and he came back recently for the 125th anniversary
celebration
in April."
Rather has drawn a large amount of criticism recently for a
report he made about President Bush's National Guard service.
Unfortunately
for Rather, his report was based on allegedly forged documents,
which drew the ire of people all over the country.
Gaertner said even though Rather made that mistake, it still
does not tarnish his legacy as a whole. When looking at Rather,
he chooses to look at the newsman's entire career, not just
one incident.
"
I think that when people look back on his career, that will be
a very minor part of it," Gaertner said. "You shouldn't
be evaluated on your worst day. He might have made a mistake
there, but taken in total, his career has been remarkable."
SHSU journalism professor Hugh Fullerton said that since Rather
did an outstanding job throughout his lengthy career as an
anchor, it is unfortunate to see him step down after that recent
controversy.
"
The man is a great newsman," Fullerton said. "It's
too bad that he had to end on a kind of ignominious note,
but show me someone in the news media who has never made
a mistake."
With the National Guard report coming just months earlier,
the question arises of whether or not the incident led Rather
to
this decision.
Rather has said that discussions with CBS about the move began
in 1999, but after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001,
the discussion was put on hold. Talks picked back up over the
summer
of 2004, and it was agreed that the change would take place
March 9, 2005, 24 years after he took over for Cronkite.
Krystyniak believes the recent controversy did not have any
effect on Rather's decision. From what he saw during Rather's
April
2004 visit to SHSU, thoughts of the change were taking place
before the National Guard controversy ever happened.
"
When he was here in April, he had a news conference with students," Krystyniak
said. "In the news conference, one of the students asked
him if he was planning to retire. Based on his answer, and
I've told many people this since that time, I felt he was
going to
retire after the election."
Gaertner's most fond memory of Rather is from just six months
ago, when he returned to his alma mater to celebrate its 125th
anniversary.
With Rather's recognition and prestige, students, faculty and
staff from all over the university wanted to meet the man
whose name graces the communications building. Friday night,
after
the President's Dinner and Concert, there was a long line
of people wanting to meet Rather.
Gaertner
said that even though Rather had
to tape in New York the next day, he stayed until the very
last
person was able to meet him.
- END -
Matt Pederson can
be reached by e-mail or at 936.295-5407 ext. 3023.
SHSU Media
Contact: Frank
Krystyniak
Nov. 24, 2004
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
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