Washington Post, CNN Commentator To Speak at UW-Madison

The writer dubbed “the high priest” and “unchallenged dean” of political reporters will deliver the Ralph O. Nafziger Lecture on April 8.

David Broder, author of a syndicated column for The Washington Post and a regular contributor to the Cable News Network, will consider “Approaching a New Century.”

Broder, whom many media critics believe is the most influential journalist in the country, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for distinguished commentary. Other awards include the prestigious 4th Estate Award from the National Press Foundation (1990), the White Burkett Miller Presidential Award (1989) and many more.

A native of Chicago Heights, Broder earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago. Before joining the Post staff in 1966, Broder worked for The New York Times, The Washington Star and Congressional Quarterly. In addition to his newspaper and television commentary, Broder is the author of six books, the most recent of which are “The System: The American Way of Politics at the Breaking Point” with Washington Post alumnus Haynes Johnson and “The Man Who Would be President: Dan Quayle” with Post colleague Bob Woodward of Watergate fame. Broder also contributes frequently to NBC’s “Meet the Press” and “Washington Week in Review.”

Robert Drechsel, director of the UW–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication, says he is delighted Broder will be speaking here.

“It goes without saying that David Broder is one of the nation’s most outstanding journalists. His career typifies what Ralph Nafziger valued most: the highest possible quality of public affairs journalism marked by great commitment, intellect and integrity,” Drechsel says.

Nafziger directed the school from 1949 until he retired in 1966. Drechsel says Nafziger achieved acclaim as an advocate of both professional training for journalists and his support for mass communications research. Since 1994, a lecture honoring his memory has taken place under the sponsorship of the Nafziger family and School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumni and friends.

Tickets for the Broder lecture are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Vilas Hall box office, (608) 262-1500. The talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Music Hall.

CONTACT: Barbara Wolff, (608) 262-8292, bjwolff@facstaff.wisc.edu