REMEMBERING: DR. LEE THORTON

 
 

Dr. Lee Thorton has broke boundaries in the field of broadcast journalism for African American's. She passed away on Friday, age 71, after being ill with cancer.

Thorton grew up in Leesburg, Virginia, and received degrees in Washington D.C and Michigan.

Within three years of joining CBS as a field reporter, by 1977 she was honored with the role as the first African-American woman White House correspondent for a major news network. She remained in that position until 1982, when NPR offered her to be the first African-American host for All Things Considered, which aired on the weekends. Her radio voiced shined through millions across the United States for almost ten years, until deciding to return to television in 1992. She joined CNN News Network as a correspondent for 5 years, and then decided to withdraw from the fronts of news and share her talents with students on the rise. Thorton already had years as experience at Howard University, where she brought life to many students who were interested in following her footsteps, as well as created the course "NEWSVISION" which still exists to this date. She joined the staff at Merrill College at the University of Maryland as a production teacher. In 2008, she was promoted to interim Dean. 

 




There are many people on the Howard University faculty staff that have been graced by the memory of Dr. Lee Thorton. This includes Professor Jennifer Thomas, who clarified to the student body along with Professor Lamb that Dr. Thorton indeed taught at the university, despite reports that left this fact unannounced. Professor Thomas, who teaches three levels of journalism courses requested The Hilltop, student newspaper, to make sure to shed light by running an article about her contributions to the university. In an interview I helped my writer set up, Dr. Judith Latta states "Lee had the most incredible work ethic." 

 Sonja Williams, who teaches Radio Production and graduate classes in the evening. Professor Williams worked at NPR within the same period as Thorton and quickly stated "yeah I knew her!" While she shared that her relationship with Thorton was not as strong as others in the department, she noted the effort she put in as a journalist. When talking to Dr. Kaggwa, former department chair, he shared "yes- I was taught by the remarkable Dr. Thorton." He encouraged all to visit his office for anyone who wants a better understanding of her. 

The university will always have Dr. Thorton in their hearts.