Newswise — Hoda Kotb, the beloved former New Orleans anchor whose Emmy Award-winning career has spanned the globe from covering wars and natural disasters to co-hosting NBC’s “Today” show, will deliver the keynote address at Tulane University’s Commencement 2016 at 9 a.m., May 14 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Kotb, who is also a correspondent for “Dateline,” was one of New Orleans’ most popular public figures when she served as an anchor and reporter for WWL-TV from 1992 to 1998.
New Orleans was Kotb’s last local broadcasting job before joining “Dateline” and launching a career that would take her around the world and into the living rooms of millions. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, war-torn Burma, the 2004 Tsunami and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were some of the major stories she covered.
“This city and its people have always held a special place in my heart,” Kotb said. “Having lived here and covered the world, I know the importance of Tulane both locally and internationally. I am thrilled to honor a new generation of New Orleanians as they earn their Tulane degrees.”
Besides her television work, Kotb promotes awareness of breast cancer, which she survived, and is the best-selling author of Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee and Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives. Her latest book, Where We Belong: Journeys That Show Us the Way, was published in January.
“Who doesn’t love Hoda?” Tulane President Mike Fitts asked. “Her infectious personality and indomitable spirit pervade everything she does from reporting to writing to advocating for breast cancer awareness. She is the perfect choice to address our graduates.”
A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Kotb graduated from Virginia Tech University with a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism.
In addition to Kotb’s address, Tulane’s Commencement 2016 will feature traditional graduation pageantry with the distinct New Orleans flavor of live jazz, Mardi Gras beads, second-lining, confetti cannons and more.
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