Dan Rather was born in Wharton, Texas, and grew up in a working class neighborhood of Houston. His father worked as an oil pipeliner. Neither of his parents had been to college and his father had never finished high school, but his mother was determined to see Dan graduate and go on to college.
Both parents were avid readers, and his father in particular had a keen interest in current events. From an early age Dan Rather planned to become a newspaper man. He entered Sam Houston State College in Huntsville, Texas with the hope of winning a football scholarship. His never achieved the gridiron glory he dreamed of, but he made important progress toward a career in journalism, editing the college paper and working part time at a small radio station. While still in college he worked as a reporter for Associated Press and United Press International.
Topics
The recently concluded presidential campaign interested and involved the American public as few others have. Now that the fireworks are over, Rather takes a look at the important political stories that aren't getting the attention they deserve, and why We the People need to remain involved.
The First 100 Days
Rather, whose career as a reporter spans 11 presidencies—from Eisenhower to Obama—and who served as White House Correspondent during the Johnson, Nixon, and Ford administrations, examines the importance of "the first 100 days" for the ultimate success of a presidency—and takes a look at the beginnings of the Obama era.
Hard Times, Then and Now
In this keynote presentation, Rather, a child of the Great Depression, looks back at that challenging economic time and others since then, and how they compare with the current recession. He offers his assessment of prospects for the future.
All Foreign Policy Is Local, All Economics Is Global
In this keynote speech, Rather examines the complex web of connections between U.S. policy abroad and the state of our economy.
What I've Learned from a Lifetime of Reporting
Changing The Dynamics of Media: Keeping Citizens Informed
The Substance of Leadership in the Modern Presidency
Economy as the First Line of Defense
The New World of Journalism: Internet, Blogging, and Podcasting
Journalism In Crisis
From Selma To Obama and Beyond
Talkin' Texas
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