Maddow, Gupta featured Convention Speakers
MSNBC political analyst Rachel Maddow and CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be keynote speakers for Phi Theta Kappa’s 2010 Convention, bringing their expertise in multi-platform approaches and grassroots involvement to presentations on 2010-11 Honors Study Topic, The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise.
Maddow
In just one year, Rachel Maddow has become one of the most respected and most-watched television journalists, known for her comprehensive coverage of political and contemporary issues. As host of MSNBC’s critically acclaimed “The Rachel Maddow Show,” she provides in-depth analyses and engages in lively debates with guests to cover all sides of the issues.
Maddow received a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University. She earned her doctorate in political science at Oxford University, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship. She is currently working on a book on the changing role of the military in U.S. politics.
Since its launch in September 2008, “The Rachel Maddow Show” has risen to the top of the ratings charts and Maddow herself has been named a “Breakout Star of 2008” by The Washington Post; to the “Best of Television 2008” by The Los Angeles Times and one of the “Top Ten Political Newcomers of 2008” by Politico.com.
Maddow has been the regular guest host for “Countdown,” served as a panelist for MSNBC’s election coverage and also filled in for David Gregory as host of “Race for the White House.” She continues to host “The Rachel Maddow Show” on Air America Radio (AAR), where she has worked since its inception in the spring of 2004. Prior to joining AAR she worked for radio stations in Massachusetts.
Click here to learn more about Convention Speaker Rachel Maddow and subscribe to her podcast.
Gupta
Dr. Sanjay Gupta will speak on “Medicine and Media,” using his unique position as a broadcaster, writer and podcaster to examine why certain health-related stories make the headlines and while others don’t. He also looks at the media’s role in conveying sometimes frightening information, such as his post-9/11 reports on anthrax.
Dr. Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and longtime senior medical correspondent for health and medicine at CNN, and has covered such major stories as the 9/11 attacks and the anthrax scare, the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.
During the war in Iraq, Dr. Gupta reported as an embedded correspondent with the U.S. Navy’s medical unit, providing live coverage of the first operation performed during the war and also performing brain surgery.
At CNN, Gupta delivers segments, hosts “Sanjay Gupta MD,” produces New You Resolution, and oversees Fit Nation, both promoting healthy lifestyles. He also writes a column for TIME, and hosts a weekly podcast, “Paging Dr. Gupta.”
His newest book is Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives Against All Odds. He is also the author of Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today.
Gupta is a member of the staff and faculty at the department of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine and is chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, both in Atlanta.
During the Clinton administration in 1997, Gupta was chosen as a White House Fellow, one of only 15 appointed, and served as special advisor to First Lady Hillary Clinton. He has won the Humanitarian Award from the National Press Photographers Association.
Click here to learn more about Convention Speaker Sanjay Gupta and to subscribe to his podcast.
Gupta makes headlines while reporting from disaster-torn Haiti, read more.
