University Heights, OH: Next week, Pete Williams, former Chief Justice Correspondent for NBC News, will return to Ӱ̳ as Journalist in Residence with the College of Arts & Sciences. This will be Williams’ second visit to Ӱ̳ following his inaugural week last Spring.
In the Journalist in Residence role, Williams has committed to spending a week each semester visiting with students, engaging with faculty and staff, and attending events on campus. Williams was inspired to work with Ӱ̳ by the late Tim Russert ’72, longtime host of NBC’s Meet the Press and namesake of Ӱ̳’s Russert Department of Communication. Williams also delivered a commencement address at Ӱ̳ in 2022.
During the first week of October 2023, Williams will guest lecture in classes where students learn about podcasting and narrative storytelling. He will also host a workshop for students interested in applying for Ӱ̳’s Meet The Press Fellowship, which grants one graduating senior a nine-month position at Meet The Press. These sessions will be an opportunity for Williams to offer these students his advice and expertise from the perspective of a career journalist and government official.
In addition to meeting with students, Williams will participate in two events that are open to the public. On October 2nd, Williams will speak about his time covering the Department of Justice and Supreme Court for NBC, and will also offer a preview of the Supreme Court’s upcoming term. On October 4th, Ӱ̳ will host “An Evening with Pete Williams,” hosted by WKYC anchor Russ Mitchell. At this event, there will be a focus on Williams’ time as a beat reporter in Washington, DC. The event on October 4th will also be sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists, The Press Club of Cleveland, and Ӱ̳’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Williams is a former NBC journalist and government official. He started his career in his hometown of Casper, Wyoming, as a journalist for television station KTWO. Williams graduated from Stanford University in 1974. In 1986, Williams was tapped by then U.S. representative Dick Cheney as his press secretary. He became the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs during the George H.W. Bush Administration.
In 1993, Williams left the government to become a correspondent for NBC News, covering the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court. During his time at NBC, Williams was tasked with facing the public to explain Supreme Court intricacies. He also covered important and significant events, such as the September 11th attacks, the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and confirmation of Supreme Court justices. Williams has been decorated with awards throughout his career, including three national news Emmy awards, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Wyoming. Williams retired from his role at NBC in 2022.
