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By Deborah Carl
Mormon Broadcaster Brought Cronkite Name to ASU
TEMPE, ARIZONA --ElDean Bennett will always be remembered at Arizona
State University, and not just for the 30 years he taught in the
journalism department. Bennett, an LDS Church member, brought the
name of legendary broadcaster Walter Cronkite to the department,
which then became the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and
Telecommunication.
Bennett was named chairman of the department in the early 1980s, and
quickly faced a budget that was underfunded and equipment that needed
to be upgraded. So Bennett turned to Walter Cronkite for help. After
visiting with Bennett and touring the department, Cronkite agreed to
lend his name to an endowment. In 1984 the department was named the
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication, giving it
prestige and name recognition among journalism schools, a support to
the school to this day.
By 1987, Bennett handed the department reins to Doug Anderson and
returned to teaching in the classroom until 1997. Maralin Bennett
said her husband didn't care much for the red tape and politics that
went with being department chairman, anyway. He much preferred being
with students.
He died Oct. 12 from complications of diabetes. The Tempe resident was 73.
While Bennett enjoyed journalism, he was devoted to his family. He
and Maralin had six children: Terri Anne, Randall Dean, Stephen Dean,
Julia Anne, Barbara Anne and Allan Dean. Bennett also made time to
serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sang with
the choir. One of his favorite pastimes was making recordings for the
blind.
Source:
Ex-broadcaster brought Cronkite's help to ASU
Phoenix AZ Republic 15Nov01 P2
By Connie Cone Sexton: The Arizona Republic
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