“This captures the spirit of him as a man.” Those were the words of Walter Cronkite’s daughter Kathy Cronkite when she toured the new Walter Cronkite Memorial in the Spratt Hall atrium last fall.
The memorial was dedicated and officially opened on Nov. 4, 2013, the 97th anniversary of Walter Cronkite’s birth. “He loved birthdays, and this is the best birthday party he could have ever had,” Kathy Cronkite said.
Kay Barnes
Approximately 400 people, including Gov. Jay Nixon and Kathy Cronkite, gathered in the Spratt Hall atrium to dedicate the permanent memorial, a 5,000 sq. ft. interactive display designed to honor the legendary CBS Evening News Anchor, born in St. Joseph, Mo. in 1916.
The dedication ceremony was followed by a lunch in the Fulkerson Center with a keynote address by Kay Cronkite Barnes, “Remembering Walter,” where she recounted personal anecdotes about her cousin. Scott Pelley, current CBS Evening News anchor, sent a video message that was played at a preview event and at the lunch.
Kathy Cronkite told the crowd at the dedication that Missouri Western’s values mirror her father’s values and how he lived his life – “quality, service, respect, enthusiasm, freedom, courage – that is my dad.”
Walter Cronkite was the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962-1981, reporting on many significant historical events during his tenure at the news desk. In 1972, an Oliver Quayle and Company survey named Cronkite “the most trusted American in public life,” and that began his unofficial reign as “the most trusted man in America.”
Prior to taking over the anchor desk at CBS News, Cronkite was known for his role as anchor for the CBS Sunday newscast, “Up to the Minute,” and the host of “You Are There,” a program that re-enacted historical events in news report format. He also served as CBS’s senior correspondent, replacing Edward R. Murrow.
Although Cronkite moved from St. Joseph to Kansas City, Mo. just a year after his birth, he often visited his grandparents in St. Joseph. Walter Cronkite’s father moved back to St. Joseph later, as well, so Walter Cronkite had a three-generation connection to St. Joseph. In 1969, he made a presentation before the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce defending freedom of speech. Video coverage of that event is part of the memorial displays.
The memorial was the vision of Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “Walter Cronkite is probably the most significant journalist of the 20th century,” said Dr. Vartabedian. “Generations of Americans counted on him for reports on major events. He was respected by his colleagues and by the people he covered, and I’m pleased that we’re able to honor him in this way.”
The memorial was made possible with funding from the David and Shirley Bradley Endowment, and Shirley Bradley traveled from Florida for the dedication events.
“Missouri Western has always been very dear to my heart,” Bradley said. “And to create a memorial to Walter Cronkite is marvelous.”
“It’s so perfect to have a journalism family from St. Joseph make this (memorial) possible,” Kathy Cronkite said.
Partners in Recognition of Ft. Loramie, Ohio created several of the memorial pieces, including the approximately 9 feet wide x 21 feet tall photo collage. “It’s been a very collaborative project, and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Greg Short, owner of Partners in Recognition. “I am quite certain it will be very special for Missouri Western and the entire community.”
Dr. Vartabedian gave credit to the employee committee that worked many extra hours on the memorial, which included Jerry Pickman ’85, vice president for University Advancement, who led the project; Department of Art faculty members David Harris and Eric Fuson (see About the Artists); Cori Criger, Jake Kelly and Jake Noyd of the Instructional Media Center; Dean Gordon Mapley, Christa Byer and Sara Hunt of the Western Institute; Michael Scroggs from Theatre and Cinema; Jeff Ellison of Ellison-Auxier Architects; and Ann Pearce of the President’s Office.
The memorial is open daily year round and has free admission. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. It is closed on major holidays. For more information, check out the website at WalterCronkiteMemorial.org or call (816) 271-4100. Missouri Western is also encouraging schools to schedule field trips to the Memorial, as well as those on tour buses that visit St. Joseph.
Dr. Vartabedian said the University plans to host an annual event to recognize the work of Cronkite, and it will be called The Most Trusted Man in America: A Celebration of the Life of Walter Cronkite. “Throughout his career, Walter Cronkite played a pivotal role in news reporting,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “He exemplified journalistic integrity and is a role model for journalists and television reporters, and we want to honor his memory for years to come.”
Walter Cronkite Memorial Components
Historical Photograph Display
A photo display approximately 9 feet wide by 21 feet tall is the centerpiece of the Walter Cronkite Memorial. Cronkite served as anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962-1981, and the display contains 39 images of world and national news events covered during that time.
Walter Cronkite as CBS News Anchor
A kiosk with touch-panel controls and a video display is dedicated to the events depicted in the historical photograph display. Visitors can hear both Cronkite reporting the events and comments on their significance.
WWII Waco Combat Glider
The glider that hangs near the front entrance of Spratt Hall atrium, approximately 14 feet from wingtip to wingtip and 10 feet from nose to tail, is a replica of a glider that Cronkite used during his coverage of the 101st Airborne’s Operation Market Garden in Holland during World War II.
Memorabilia Case
A display case houses items donated or loaned to The Walter Cronkite Memorial. The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas loaned Missouri Western some of the pieces for the display. Cronkite was a student at the University of Texas, and his papers are housed in the Briscoe Center.
Betsy Maxwell Cronkite Tribute
The photographic display tells the story of Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Cronkite, Cronkite’s wife of nearly 65 years.
Timeline
A large timeline chronicles Cronkite’s life from his birth on Nov. 4, 1916 to his death on July 17, 2009. The timeline not only includes photos and information from his life as a news reporter and anchor, but encompasses his personal life as well.
Walter Cronkite’s Life
The kiosk features a 46-inch touch screen that displays autobiographical videos about Cronkite’s childhood and personal life.
NASA Exploration
Several large panels depict images of NASA’s exploration of space and images of Cronkite as he covered these events.
Caricatures
The memorial houses caricatures drawn by well-known artist, Al Hirschfeld.
Chamber of Commerce Talk
During a 1969 presentation to the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Cronkite expressed his views on what he perceived as an attack on free speech.
Missouri Colleges and Universities
The memorial includes a display of Missouri’s colleges and universities. It was formerly housed in the state Capitol, and Cronkite lent his voice detailing the importance of Missouri higher education.
About the Artists
Dr. Robert Vartabedian’s vision for the memorial was captured by Missouri Western faculty members Eric Fuson and David Harris.
Fuson, a lifelong St. Joseph resident, is an instructor of art and foundations program coordinator in the Department of Art. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Missouri Western and began teaching here in 1990. A background in photography, graphic design, drawing, jewelry and sculpture are evident throughout his work, which has been exhibited nationally.
Harris is an assistant professor, director of ceramics and art therapy coordinator in the Department of Art. As a working artist and art educator he encourages students to explore their unique talents, develop their creativity and fine-tune their distinctive voice. He founded David Harris Pottery in 1978. His work has been exhibited in numerous national and international venues and is included in many public and private collections. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts from Missouri Western, Harris holds a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.
Fuson met with Walter’s daughter Kathy Cronkite and stayed in touch with her throughout the yearlong memorial project. At the dedication ceremony, she told the audience that relationship made the memorial special. “No one has ever done a tribute to my dad and allowed us to be a part of it.”
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