On December 20, 2023, Vice President for News and Head of Investigations, Enterprise, Partnerships and Grants at the Associated Press Ron Nixon will address Klein College of Media and Communication graduates at the Temple Performing Arts Center.

Nixon was recently named one of The Root’s 2023 Most Influential Black Americans and is most known for his work as an investigative journalist. 

“I’ve known and respected Ron Nixon for a long time, and I’m thrilled to be able to share him with our graduates and their families,” wrote Dean David Boardman. 

Boardman and Nixon have connected over the years, and Boardman even wanted Nixon to come work at The Seattle Times when he was the senior vice president. The latter has always thought of Boardman as a mentor and greatly admires the work he has done at Klein College and as the former director and president of Investigative Reporters and Editors. 

While we often look to the past for inspiration, it is also important to look to the future to see the next steps of how journalism will be practiced going forth. 

Nixon is thrilled to be addressing the graduates of Klein College, who are always thinking about new ways of doing journalism. 

“You get to change lives. You get to have experiences that you probably would not have in another occupation,” Nixon said. 

Nixon has received countless accolades throughout his career, including receiving the inaugural News Leader of the Year award from the News Leaders Association and overseeing Pulitzer Prize winning investigations. 

“He is one of the most accomplished journalists in the world: a pioneer in data reporting, a champion for diversity and inclusion, and a superb visionary who has led some of the most important journalism of the past decade. I know he will inspire everyone,” Boardman wrote.

Nixon often thinks about all the people he has touched with his journalism and hopes to inspire students-turned-graduates as they take time to celebrate this milestone in their careers.