Cronkite Global Initiatives suite named in honor of Seversons

The international program headquarters at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University was named today in honor of alumna Adelaida Severson and her husband, Barry.      

The Adelaida and Barry Severson Family Cronkite Global Initiatives Suite was dedicated in recognition of a generous gift from the 1995 master’s graduate and her husband, the founders and owners of Bushtex Inc., which specializes in providing remote satellite transmissions both domestically and internationally to broadcast, corporate and government clients.

Adelaida said the couple’s experiences have taught them that a strong awareness of international media is essential for today’s journalists to be competitive. They hope the investment will help prepare Cronkite students for careers in the current global media environment.

“We’re really honored to have (the Cronkite Global Initiatives Suite) named after our family,” said Adelaida, a founding member of the Cronkite National Board of Advisors. “Hopefully we can provide a legacy for students.”

The contribution will provide funds to assist students with international travel and related reporting projects designed to enhance their awareness and understanding of media policies in foreign cultures and countries.  

“This generous gift comes at a time when the global media world is more important than ever,” said Christopher Callahan, dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “Adelaida and Barry’s passion for ensuring that our students receive a broad global view of the news media and invaluable international reporting experiences will be an enormous benefit today and in the future.”

The Severson suite is home to Cronkite Global Initiatives, the umbrella organization for the school’s international programs, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for international journalists. Other Cronkite Global programs include the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, Cronkite study abroad programs, overseas faculty research projects, and invited scholars and professionals-in-residence.

"Doors will open around the world for our students, faculty and staff through the generosity of the Severson family,” said B. William Silcock, associate professor and director of Cronkite Global Initiatives. “The Seversons share the Cronkite School’s vision that our students must ‘see the world, know the world and report the world’ in order to be successful in today’s global media landscape."