The Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communications

	Educating leaders of conscience in public communication, from the town hall to the nation’s capital.
Student Media Interview Presidential Candidates John McCain aboard the Straight Talk Express Mike Huckabee in a student media press conference in Rindge Craig Romney in an interview with Steven Dodrill of the Pierce Media Group in Rindge, NH Elizabeth Edwards at a New Hampshire house party in Jaffrey. Elizabeth spoke to Steven Dodrill of the Pierce Media Group in Rindge, NH
The Presidency and the Press A Conference for High School Media June 23 – June 29, 2007
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“If all communication depends on our ability to transmit ideas from one person to another, let this Center spark the intellectual curiosity, the enthusiasm and the personal integrity to make every student a beacon unto the world.” Marlin Fitzwater	Within the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication, Intellects are engaged, skills acquired, perspectives challenged, voices found. Leaders of conscience realized. About Marlin Fitzwater Fall Calendar Fitzcast Video Archives Tuesday Briefings Archives New Brochure (PDF)
To prepare the young men and women of Franklin Pierce University for the responsibilities of inspired leadership and service in the vibrant public discourse that is essential to our nation’s democracy, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication offers them unparalleled opportunities to develop their intellect and character. As students search to make a place for themselves first at Franklin Pierce, and then outside its halls in the world beyond, a distinguished faculty draws on its extensive professional experiences and academic credentials to challenge them to work hard, reach high and reach out. The students’ perspectives are broadened in the liberal arts, and their critical thinking skills are nurtured, their minds tuned into meaningful public debate at every level, from the town hall to the White House. The Center for Applied Public Opinion Research calls the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication home, and in a state with a penchant for presidential politics, its accurate polls are reported internationally. A 12,000 square foot comprehensive, state-of-the-art communications facility allows the students to master their craft, preparing them to enter a broad range of the toughest communications job markets. Home of the Department of Mass Communication, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication features a radio broadcasting studio (WFPC-LP), a television station (FPC-TV), The Pierce Arrow (the campus newspaper), audio production facilities, an online journalism lab, writing and lecture rooms, and non-linear editing suites. The Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication is dedicated to stimulating meaningful deliberation and debate. Our “Tuesday Briefing” series brings nationally prominent media, political and business leaders to campus. Our national advisory board offers our students invaluable networking opportunities. And our summer professional development programming will serve media professionals and academics seeking intensive training in communications and public discourse. The Presidency and the Press In addition to supporting the hallmark goal of Franklin Pierce College—to prepare its students to function well as citizens and leaders of a democratic society—the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication serves as a center for the study of the relationship between the presidency and the press. The nation’s media, political and business leadership has generously supported the Center and its vision, honoring the Kansas journalist who drove to Washington, D.C., in 1965 with dreams of a media career and instead realized his calling at the side of two presidents. Marlin Fitzwater is, as President George H.W. Bush said, “a great American, who served his nation with honor.” It is the passionate hope of the Center’s supporters that its students will find, as did Marlin Fitzwater, their voice in the public discourse.” Marlin Fitzwater In the historical context of our nation’s public communication, Marlin Fitzwater stands alone. This Kansas native spent a decade in the front row of history, as press secretary to Presidents Reagan and Bush. From l983 to l992, his voice reassured the world in times of turmoil and change. Today he is an author and lecturer whose presidential anecdotes, political analysis, and television commentary have received worldwide attention. As the only press secretary in history to be appointed by two Presidents, Fitzwater became known to millions of Americans as the voice of the 26-nation coalition in the Persian Gulf War. Often wearing a wide brim hat and an open smile, Fitzwater stood next to two Presidents during cold war summits, economic downturns, and eight military conflicts. He gave over 850 press briefings in six years, winning praise from the news media and the public for his honesty and good humor. He was named an Outstanding Civil Servant in government in l980; received the nation’s second highest civilian award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, from President Bush in l992; served on the Board of the Woodrow Wilson School for International Scholars, and has received numerous other awards and honorary doctorate degrees. He has been a member of the Franklin Pierce University Board of Trustees since 1999, and he additionally serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication. “Just as the press has been a vital part of this successful experiment in self-governance, now 226 years young, so too is the free press one of the foundational pillars on which the students who pass through these halls over here will build a new American century of hope, opportunity, and freedom for generations to come. As we chart our course forward, it is my hope and belief that the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication will foster substantive debates and in so doing, offer a positive contribution to those entrusted to oversee our nation’s media. To all future students here at this Fitzwater Center, I would simply say that you can hardly do better than study the quiet, selfless example set by your namesake, this son of Abilene, Kansas. And then seek to emulate his genuine decency in your own lives.” George Herbert Walker Bush 41st President of the United States “The Marlin Fitzwater Center is going to be a place where students can learn the principles of integrity, of public policy, of doing things right when it comes to communicating information from our government, or officials of any other bureaucracy, to the public.” Sam Donaldson ABC news anchor and commentator, legendary member of the Washington Press Corps “If we can teach one thing here at this Center, I hope it will be that communication in this age of 24/7 news cycles and all-crisis-all-the-time broadcasts, and technology that amazes us with its capacity and reach, that communication is still in the end about human beings conversing with each other. When it comes to political communication, we need to be more civil and more decent in the way we converse.” Mike McCurry Press Secretary to President Bill Clinton from January 1995 to October 1998 Contact information: For more information about the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication, please contact: Kristen D. Nevious, Ph.D., neviousk@franklinpierce.edu Director, Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication (603) 899-1039