2008 Woodie Awards
CBS national correspondent focuses on the power of words
Byron Pitts tells students literacy is the key to knowledge
Chaunte' Rucker
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
A speech covered in appreciation to religious faith about the lessons of literacy was addressed to students, faculty and Greenville residents on Tuesday, April 8.
Byron Pitts, a former Greenville newscaster with a heart for minimizing poverty and volunteerism, captured the audience with his words of encouragement.
"I am a witness to the powerlessness of poverty…" Pitts said.
Pitts was chosen to speak at Hendrix Theatre by the Carolyn Freeze Baynes Institute (CFBI) for Social Justice Advisory Committee.
The committee includes faculty and staff from the College of Human Ecology.
According to Mary Jackson, interim director of the CFBI for Social Justice, the committee spent long hours discussing whom the next CFBI lecturer would be.
"Mr. Pitts has seen the high cost of when social justice fails," Jackson said.
With Pitts' background and his personal battle with illiteracy, the committee recognized he was the right choice.
"A number of names were considered, however, the committee unanimously agreed on Byron Pitts," Jackson said.
The CBS national correspondent has focused on a number of news stories relative to social justice problems both nationally and internationally.
He has worked as a CBS national correspondent covering the war in Iraq, including the collapse of the Saddam Hussein statue.
He has also covered the September 11 terrorist attacks, the war in Afghanistan and the story of Elian Gonzalez; a young boy caught in the middle of illegal immigration policies.
In his speech to a crowded theatre, he described his emotions from overcoming the challenge of reading inabilities that later led to stuttering.
He is appreciative of his journeys although he did not always find it easy.
Throughout his life he trusted in his faith and kind help from strangers, referencing many times to biblical quotes and inspirational statements.
"I believe in two things, the power of God's grace, and the power of words," Pitts said.
Byron Pitts, a former Greenville newscaster with a heart for minimizing poverty and volunteerism, captured the audience with his words of encouragement.
"I am a witness to the powerlessness of poverty…" Pitts said.
Pitts was chosen to speak at Hendrix Theatre by the Carolyn Freeze Baynes Institute (CFBI) for Social Justice Advisory Committee.
The committee includes faculty and staff from the College of Human Ecology.
According to Mary Jackson, interim director of the CFBI for Social Justice, the committee spent long hours discussing whom the next CFBI lecturer would be.
"Mr. Pitts has seen the high cost of when social justice fails," Jackson said.
With Pitts' background and his personal battle with illiteracy, the committee recognized he was the right choice.
"A number of names were considered, however, the committee unanimously agreed on Byron Pitts," Jackson said.
The CBS national correspondent has focused on a number of news stories relative to social justice problems both nationally and internationally.
He has worked as a CBS national correspondent covering the war in Iraq, including the collapse of the Saddam Hussein statue.
He has also covered the September 11 terrorist attacks, the war in Afghanistan and the story of Elian Gonzalez; a young boy caught in the middle of illegal immigration policies.
In his speech to a crowded theatre, he described his emotions from overcoming the challenge of reading inabilities that later led to stuttering.
He is appreciative of his journeys although he did not always find it easy.
Throughout his life he trusted in his faith and kind help from strangers, referencing many times to biblical quotes and inspirational statements.
"I believe in two things, the power of God's grace, and the power of words," Pitts said.
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