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CARL BERNSTEIN: WHY TRUTH STILL MATTERS


Carl Bernstein: Why Truth Still Matters

In a conversation moderated by Alison Lebovitz

Fifty years ago, in 1972, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Their work set the standard for modern investigative reporting and illustrates why truth telling matters.

Carl Bernstein spoke on Southern Adventist University’s campus on December 1, 2022. More than 1,500 students, employees, alumni, and community members attended the event.

Bernstein’s visit to the university inaugurated the School of Journalism and Communication’s R. Lynn Sauls Endowed Lecture Series, which will be an annual event meant to “inspire a new generation of truth seekers, storytellers, and influencers” by inviting prominent journalists and communication professionals to campus. The series is named after Lynn Sauls, ’52, PhD, former professor and dean of what is now the School of Journalism and Communication.

Bernstein shared his views regarding truth and the role of journalism in society during a conversational-style presentation moderated by local television personality Alison Lebovitz. He described working for The Washington Evening Star as a teenager and covering the civil rights movement and former President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. He also provided insight into how he and Bob Woodward exposed Nixon’s crimes as young reporters in their late 20s working for The Washington Post.

Additionally, Bernstein offered advice to students, encouraging them to get a foot in the door, listen well, avoid “manufactured controversy,” and not take themselves too seriously. He stated that good journalists should aim to report “the best obtainable version of the truth.”

“Carl Bernstein is one of the greatest investigative journalists our country has ever seen,” said Amanda Blake, junior journalism major. “As an aspiring journalist, I felt energized by his passion for truth. His advice on covering the context of a story—the people, the real issues, the effects of legislation—inspired me to take my storytelling to the next level, to not only inform people but to serve them as well.”

Read more in The Southern Accent.

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About the Event

CARL BERNSTEIN: WHY TRUTH STILL MATTERS
In a conversation moderated by Alison Lebovitz

Fifty years ago, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Their work set the standard for modern investigative reporting and illustrates why truth telling matters.

Join us at Southern Adventist University on December 1 at 7 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center for a riveting conversation between Bernstein and local television host Alison Lebovitz as they explore “Why Truth Still Matters.” Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions for a live Q&A. This is the inaugural event in the R. Lynn Sauls Endowed Lecture Series, sponsored by Southern's School of Journalism and Communication.
12/01/2022

Why Truth Still Matters

Iles P.E. Center, 4870 University Drive, Collegedale, TN 37315

07:00 PM-

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ABOUT CARL BERNSTEIN
Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Author, and Political Analyst

Few journalists in America’s history have had the impact on their era and their craft as Carl Bernstein. For 40 years, from All the President’s Men to A Woman-In-Charge: The Life of Hillary Clinton, Bernstein’s books, reporting, and commentary have revealed the inner-workings of government, politics, and the hidden stories of Washington and its leaders.

In the early 1970s, Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon and setting the standard for modern investigative reporting, for which they and The Post were awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

Since then, Bernstein has continued to build on the theme he and Woodward first explored in the Nixon years—the use and abuse of power: political, media, financial, cultural, and spiritual power. Renowned as a prose stylist, he has also written a classic biography of Pope John Paul II, served as the founding editor of the first major political website, and been a rock music critic.

The author of many best-selling books, including All the President's Men, Bernstein has also worked on several multimedia projects, such as a memoir about growing up at a Washington newspaper, The Evening Star, during the Kennedy era. He is also an on-air contributor for CNN and a contributing editor of Vanity Fair magazine.

Bernstein was born and raised in Washington, DC, and began his journalism career at age 16 as a copyboy for The Washington Evening Star, becoming a reporter at 19. He lives in New York with his wife and is the father of two sons, one a journalist and the other a rock musician.

To learn more, visit carlbernstein.com.


ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Alison Goldstein Lebovitz is a television host, speaker, author, and podcaster who believes we each have the power and responsibility to make this world a better place. Lebovitz is the host of The A List with Alison Lebovitz, a half-hour original interview series for WTCI/PBS, and serves as co-founder and president of One Clip at a Time, a nonprofit inspired by the Paper Clips Project and documentary.

As a professional speaker, she combines her penchant for humor with her unique gift for storytelling and has been honored to serve as a TedX speaker, coach, and emcee. She is also the author of Am I There Yet? a collection of her candid essays and life-inspired stories, and in her spare time she hosts a weekly podcast with her sister called, Sis & Tell.

Media Sponsors

Southern Adventist University is grateful to our partners for supporting this event.



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Photo Gallery

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist inspires Southern Adventist University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members

Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein in a conversation with television host Alison Lebovitz explore “Why Truth Still Matters” /©Chatt Times Free Press
Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein in a conversation with television host Alison Lebovitz explore “Why Truth Still Matters” /©Chatt Times Free Press
The audience listening
About 1,200 people have joined in the conversation
The School of Journalism and Communication welcomes Carl Bernstein to Southern for the inaugural presentation in the R. Lynn Saul Lecture Series
The School of Journalism and Communication welcomes Carl Bernstein to Southern for the inaugural presentation in the R. Lynn Saul Lecture Series
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Carl Bernstein meets with students and guests before the main event
Southern Adventist University President, Ken Shaw, welcomes to the event /©Chatt Times Free Press
Southern Adventist University President, Ken Shaw, welcomes to the event /©Chatt Times Free Press
Rachel Williams-Smith, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication announces the Communication Contest Winners
Rachel Williams-Smith, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication announces the Communication Contest Winners
Santiago Avila, of Highland Academy, receives his Overall Comm Contest Award of $1,000 from Jason Merryman, VP of Enrollment Management /©CTFP
Santiago Avila, of Highland Academy, receives his Overall Comm Contest Award of $1,000 from Jason Merryman, VP of Enrollment Management /©CTFP
Ethan Met, of McCallie School, receives his Comm Contest Award of $500 in the Vide category from Jason Merryman /©CTFP
Ethan Met, of McCallie School, receives his Comm Contest Award of $500 in the Vide category from Jason Merryman /©CTFP
Madeline Miyashiro, of Collegedale Academy, receives her Comm Contest Award of $500 in the Writing category from Jason Merryman /©CTFP
Madeline Miyashiro, of Collegedale Academy, receives her Comm Contest Award of $500 in the Writing category from Jason Merryman /©CTFP
Southern Student Association President, Kenneth Bautista, said the opening prayer /©CTFP
Southern Student Association President, Kenneth Bautista, said the opening prayer /©CTFP
Carl Bernstein acknowledges the applause and greets the audience as he comes on stage  /©CTFP
Carl Bernstein acknowledges the applause and greets the audience as he comes on stage /©CTFP
Senior Journalism Major, Elise Deschamps, introduces Carl Bernstein
Senior Journalism Major, Elise Deschamps, introduces Carl Bernstein
Carl Bernstein watches as his microphone is adjusted
Carl Bernstein watches as his microphone is adjusted
Carl Bernstein relates how his ability to type helped him to get a chance at the Washington Post
Carl Bernstein relates how his ability to type helped him to get a chance at the Washington Post
Southern Adventist University students listen as Carl Bernstein talks about the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated
Southern Adventist University students listen as Carl Bernstein talks about the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated
A large crowd filled the Iles PE Center
A large crowd filled the Iles PE Center
Carl Bernstein in a conversation with local television host Alison Lebovitz explore “Why Truth Still Matters” and answer audience questions
Carl Bernstein in a conversation with local television host Alison Lebovitz explore “Why Truth Still Matters” and answer audience questions
Carl Bernstein details his lifelong career in journalism
Carl Bernstein details his lifelong career in journalism
Carl Bernstein details his lifelong career in journalism
Carl Bernstein details his lifelong career in journalism
Interviewer Alison Levovitz smiles as Carl Bernstein answers a question
Interviewer Alison Levovitz smiles as Carl Bernstein answers a question
Carl Bernstein talked to guests while signing his books
Carl Bernstein talked to guests while signing his books

About the Lecture Series


This lectureship honors the vision, hard work, and dedication of Lynn Sauls, ’52, PhD, former chair of what is now the School of Journalism and Communication at Southern Adventist University. Serving as a professor and leader in the department in the 1980s and ’90s, Sauls helped establish this academic area as it exists today. He strengthened the journalism curriculum and grew the department, connecting with industry professionals and encouraging strong writing skills. Following his retirement in 1996, he stayed connected with his alma mater, serving as an adjunct instructor for a number of years. Now in his 90s, Sauls continues to write, recently publishing two books: It Seems to Me and Seasonal Poems: From May to Christmas and from January to Easter

This annual lecture series celebrates Sauls’ legacy by inviting prominent journalists and top communication professionals to campus to inspire a new generation of truth seekers, storytellers, and influencers. 

Support the Lynn Sauls Endowed Lecture Series