November 6, 2009 – Our Town – OWU

Speaking before a large crowd in OWU’s Benes rooms, Byron Pitts ’82 described his new book, and OWU’s influence on his life’s journey.

Photo by Doug Martin

Byron Pitts Mesmerizes OWU Community Members and Friends
OWU’s Emmy Award-winning journalist shares new book and many life-shaping memories

“Ohio Wesleyan is always with me, wherever I go.”

Those words, spoken by “CBS News” and “60 Minutes” correspondent Byron Pitts ’82 last Thursday, at a campus-wide lunch in the Benes rooms of the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, touched the hearts of the more than 200 students, faculty and staff members, and friends who turned out for the event. Pitts has been on the road promoting his new book, “Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges,” and wanted to include his alma mater on his book tour. And his alma mater rose to the occasion.

Addressing the large group, Pitts said special hellos to OWU alumni in the audience such as Margaret MacGregor Nichols ’39, noting that several members of her family also have graduated from OWU.

“There is a wonderful tradition at Ohio Wesleyan that people are proud to send their children and grandchildren here,” notes Pitts. “It speaks to the draw of this place, that we want our children to get a great education. For centuries, people have seen the value of this place.”

Pitts also took the opportunity to acknowledge two of his former OWU professors who played significant roles in his OWU education and who impacted his life after Ohio Wesleyan. Verne Edwards, professor emeritus of journalism, who Pitts likened to an army general whose high expectations of his students and great teaching, were instrumental in Pitts’ excellence as an Emmy Award-winning journalist. It was, however, Ülle Lewes, professor emeritus of English, who worked with Pitts as his teacher and mentor at Ohio Wesleyan, and helped him to overcome the obstacles that came close to driving him away from OWU during his freshman year. He attributed his recent move up to “60 Minutes” in large part, to Lewes.

Following the lunch program, a large group of fans stood in line patiently as Byron greeted people and signed purchased copies of his new book.

Photo by Doug Martin

Talking more about his new book, Pitts explained it is about the journey of a 12-year-old child who stuttered and was just learning how to read. That child, Byron Pitts, now describes his mother, Clarice, who stepped out on her faith.

“She had mountain-moving faith,” he recalled. “We all can point to people in our lives who have stepped out on nothing for us,” he says, sharing that he wrote his new book for the underdogs—those who have been told they are unworthy.

“My book also is meant to encourage the encouragers, and plant the seeds of knowledge and encouragement in others.” Just prior to taking questions from his audience, Pitts concluded his remarks by saying that his work has taken him to 37 countries, and Ohio Wesleyan remains the most special place to him.

Also that afternoon at OWU, Pitts received several awards, including his formal induction into the SUBA Hall of Fame, presented by Dan ’84 and Cinetta ’83 Sturkey, a framed OWU banner and plaque commemorating the publishing date of Pitts’ book, and he also witnessed the presentation of a check for $400—money raised by OWU SUBA and journalism students—to Dempsey Middle School’s reading intervention program, in his honor. Prior to departing from the OWU campus, Pitts also had an opportunity to spend time and share experiences with several journalism majors. His advice to students?

A special moment: Members of SUBA posed for a photo with Byron Pitts ’82.

Photo by Doug Martin

“Have a plan, obtain practical experience via internships, and pick five people whose work you admire, and see the paths they have followed in their lives.”

For more scenes from Byron Pitts’ visit, please see our photo gallery for this event.

– Pam Besel