Ed Gordon graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication in 1982.
Today, Gordon is an Emmy award-winning journalist and host and executive producer of Ed Gordon, an hour long quarterly news magazine on Bounce TV, as well as host of the nationally syndicated radio program Weekend with Ed Gordon. He can be heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show and delivers Right Now with Ed Gordon, daily commentaries for radio stations across the country. He is also president of Ed Gordon Media, a multi-service production company.
Earning distinction at BET during two stints, Gordon served in a number of roles, helping to cementing the station’s news programming. He hosted BET Tonight, anchored BET News, and created his signature series, Conversations with Ed Gordon.
Additionally, Gordon has become known for pressing hardline issues, such as the lack of diversity in journalism, racial tensions stemming from social conditions, and other issues that revolve around the overlooked and underrepresented. Among his appearances at the forefront of national news are his coverage of the historic 2012 presidential election on BET, President Obama’s second inauguration, Nelson Mandela’s funeral in South Africa, and the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. Because of his accomplishments, Gordon has become known as one of the most important news personalities in the United States.
Over the course of his career, Gordon has become known as a news powerhouse interviewing U.S. Presidents, World leaders, and other well known figures. His list includes Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and dozens of celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, and Michael Jackson. He’s also known for bringing viewers and listeners face to face with controversial figures and shining a light on their stories. In 1996, Gordon became the first person to interview O.J. Simpson after his famous acquittal, earning him a three-year stint at NBC-TV. He’s also been a correspondent for 60 Minutes at CBS, led News and Notes with Ed Gordon on NPR, and was a contributor for NBC’s Today Show and Dateline.
As an alumnus, Gordon has been a guest speaker on campus and has been honored several times. In 1994, Gordon was given a place on the Wall of Distinction, in 2006 was honored with a College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Achievement Award, and was also inducted into the School of Communication Alumni Academy.
“In his work and in his private life, Ed embodies the Bronco spirit of paying it forward—forging a pathway to success for himself and encouraging and mentoring others toward the achievement of their dreams,” said Dr. Leigh Ford, Director of the School of Communication. “Mr. Ed Gordon has demonstrated a lifetime of achievement in his long and outstanding career. Throughout that career he has remained connected to this university, has supported its mission, and has always expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunities afforded him while a student at WMU.”
In addition to being awarded an Emmy Award, Gordon has a long list of honors. He has been given the NAACP Image Award, the National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year award, a Communication Excellence to Black Audiences Award for Merit, and has been named by People Magazine to the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World”S list.