Media Contact: Javier Rojas, Javier.rojas@csun.edu, (818) 677-2130
From a seasoned war correspondent to rising stars, the inaugural class of California State University, Northridge’s Department of Journalism Hall of Fame will be honored on Saturday, April 25, at a special celebratory dinner and fundraiser for the journalism department in the university’s Orchard Conference Center.
A five-member committee made up of Journalism Alumni Association members and representatives of the journalism department selected the honorees from nearly 40 nominees in a variety of categories, including the following fields: print, broadcast, public relations, digital media, business, government and non-profit work.
Hall of Fame nominees must have had at least 20 years of professional experience and enjoyed distinguished careers, while Rising Stars have made their mark in the early years of their careers.
The honorees are as follows:
Barbara Starr — Broadcast
Barbara Starr is an Emmy Award–winning national security journalist whose distinguished career has spanned five decades, including leadership roles at ABC News and more than 20 years as CNN’s Pentagon correspondent. Renowned for her fearless reporting from global conflict zones and her authoritative coverage of U.S. defense and foreign policy, she earned a reputation as one of the most trusted voices in broadcast journalism.
Milt Valera — Business / Government
Milt Valera is a former reporter and editor, and he’s a visionary executive who transformed the National Notary Association into the nation’s leading authority serving notaries. Over nearly six decades of leadership, he advanced professional standards, authored landmark initiatives in public responsibility and built a legacy of civic impact and philanthropy.
Ana Kasparian — Digital Media
Ana Kasparian is a pioneering digital journalist and executive producer of “The Young Turks,” where she helped shape one of the most influential online news platforms in the world. A Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree and longtime journalism educator, she has expanded the reach of political commentary for a new generation of media consumers.
Kim Wyard — Non-Profit
Kim Wyard devoted five decades to Northeast Valley Health Corporation, rising from public relations intern to Chief Executive Officer and transforming the organization into one of the largest community health providers in the region. Her visionary leadership expanded access to care for hundreds of thousands of underserved residents and strengthened healthcare partnerships across Southern California.
Paul Pringle — Print Journalism
Paul Pringle is a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist whose fearless reporting for the Los Angeles Times has exposed corruption and advanced public accountability. A respected newsroom leader and author of the acclaimed book, “Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angel,” he exemplifies the highest standards of print journalism.
Jim Yeager — Public Relations
Jim Yeager is a distinguished communications executive and founder of Breakwhitelight whose 50-year career has shaped public relations strategy for some of the world’s most recognized brands. From newsroom leadership to senior roles at Warner Bros. and Universal Studios, he has redefined the strategic role of public relations while mentoring generations of professionals.
Star Harvey — Rising Star
Star Harvey is a broadcast journalist and meteorologist whose rapid ascent from CSUN student newsroom to major-market television reflects exceptional talent and determination. Now a meteorologist at FOX11 Los Angeles, she continues to inspire aspiring journalists while serving audiences across the nation’s largest media markets.
Orlando Mayorquín — Rising Star
Orlando Mayorquín is a rising force in national journalism and a reporter for The New York Times, where he covers consequential stories shaping public discourse. A proud CSUN alumnus and former Sundial staff member, he represents the next generation of impactful print reporters.
Tickets for the dinner and sponsorship opportunities can be found at:
Registration/tickets: https://engage.csun.edu/JAA_HoF
Sponsorship: https://engage.csun.edu/JAA_HoF_Sponsors
For more information, contact Dinner Chair Bob Rawitch, 818- 585-7746.
The Department of Journalism, located in the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication strives to prepare students to become well-educated, principled citizens who are capable of initiating careers as skilled journalists, public relations practitioners and other related communication professionals. The department has more than 7,000 graduates and they include acclaimed journalists like Bill Griffeth, Julio Cesar Ortiz, Sue Herera and Pulitzer Prize winners in photography Julio Cortez and Ringo Chiu. Other notable alumni include former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Keith Weaver, executive vice president of Global Policy and External Affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
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