The Conferring of Honorary Degrees
Brian Lamb

Citation Presented by Stephanie G. Larson
Associate Professor of Political Science

Brian Lamb, we honor you today for your contributions to political education. You have raised the level of public discourse on television and provided the American public with the tools to be better citizens. You have remained steadfast in your commitment to promote the political process rather than any particular groups or individuals—including yourself. By founding the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Networks, you challenged cynical assumptions about the American public and paid a tremendous compliment to what has turned out to be a sizable audience. We thank you for respecting us enough to provide us with a wealth of public affairs information, for not treating politics as a sport or side show, and for giving us frequent opportunities to participate in your programs.

Since 1979 you have provided viewers with gavel-to-gavel coverage of their House of Representatives. Since 1986 you have shown us Senate deliberations. You have continued to fight for more access and fewer restrictions over televising these institutions. The direct channels your networks have provided for observing government and campaigns remind us that we have government by “the consent of the governed” and that (ideally) consent should be informed. From coverage of Iowa Caucus rooms to the floor of the House of Commons, we are provided with access to places we rarely even hear about on the networks.

By creating “Booknotes” you have shared your enthusiasm for reading about history, culture and politics. As host of this show for over a decade, you have engaged your guests and your audience by asking informed, sincere, and down-to-earth questions. Even more importantly, you have listened attentively to their answers. Unlike most interviewers, your “get out of the way” approach has given contemporary authors the time and freedom to think about new questions and to articulate (and sometimes even critique) their own assumptions.

The lessons you have taught us through C-SPAN are not limited to the information contained on the channel. They can be found, as well, in its format and approach. These lessons are: to put curiosity before ego; to listen more than talk; to engage directly with events and information rather than waiting for them to be interpreted and packaged for you; to be patient, observant, and open to a variety of people, places and ideas; to try not to think that because you have seen or heard something before you understand it; and to keep doing this—24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

Mr. President, I am honored to present to you Brian Lamb for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Communications.

Conferring of the degree by William G. Durden
President

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