‘CBS Evening News’ anchor Scott Pelley to receive annual Cronkite award from ASU

PHOENIX — Scott Pelley, longtime anchor for the “CBS Evening News” and correspondent for “60 Minutes,” will receive a prestigious award from Arizona State University’s journalism school, according to a recent press release.

Pelley will be awarded the 33rd annual Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism on Nov. 21 from the university’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Cronkite, the school’s namesake, signed off as “CBS Evening News” anchor 35 years ago this March, passing along the ethical torch to Pelley, who describes the man as “Uncle Walter.”

“In our conversations, (Cronkite) pressed me to be honest with the audience, skeptical of conventional wisdom, and grateful for my family,” he said in the release. “His advice and his example are more urgent today than at any time. I’m greatly humbled by this recognition from the Cronkite School because it comes in the name of a man I knew, admired and loved.”

Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan said Pelley is the ideal recipient of the school’s annual award due to his mirroring of Cronkite’s values of “accuracy, objectivity and integrity.”

“We are honored to have him at ASU and look forward to having him meet with the students, faculty, alumni and friends of Walter’s school,” he said in the release.

In his 40-plus years in the industry, Pelley has been honored with awards such as the George Foster Peabody Award, five Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Since joining the CBS News team in 1989, Pelley has reported the Persian Gulf crisis, the September 11, 2001 attacks from the World Trade Center and the trial of Timothy McVeigh.

The award ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel, after Pelley broadcasts the “CBS Evening News” live from the Cronkite School that day.

Former Cronkite Award recipients include “CBS This Morning” anchor Charlie Rose and “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts.

Follow @KTAR923