Clarence Page Is Park Distinguished Visitor

Author, television commentator, and Pulitzer Prize–winning Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page visited the College for four days in October as this year’s Park distinguished visitor.

Page’s column is syndicated in about 150 newspapers around the country. His book, Showing My Color: Impolite Essays on Race and Identity, was published in 1996. Page is a regular news analyst on ABC’s This Week, a contributor of essays to the PBS show NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, a panelist on Black Entertainment Television’s weekly Lead Story, and an occasional panelist on PBS’s The McLaughlin Group. He has also hosted several documentaries on PBS and done commentary for National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Sunday

During his four-day stay, Page conducted master classes in journalism and politics. He also gave a public lecture, "Bridge to a New Media Century," and met with faculty and students, including members of the Ithaca College chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Ithacan staff, and Ithaca Opportunity Program participants.

"We have a large number of students interested in journalism, law, television, and radio," says Ethel David, opportunity programs director. "About 25 of these students met with Mr. Page during dinner, where they had a great opportunity to learn from his experience and talk with him about current issues. We hope they’ve gained a greater sense of responsibility in providing balanced reporting on diverse and dynamic issues."