Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication will honor ABC News anchor and managing editor David Muir with the 2025 Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award this October.
The award, inspired by the legacy of broadcast pioneer and educator Lew Klein, is presented annually to a media luminary whose work is a model for Klein College students. Past recipients include writer, producer and actress Quinta Brunson; Oscar- and Grammy-winning musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson; comedian Tina Fey; sports icon Charles Barkley; CNN anchor Jake Tapper, and New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet.
Muir, who anchors ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and co-anchors 20/20, is one of the most trusted journalists in American media. In addition to being America's most-watched newscast, ABC World News Tonight is often the #1 program on all of television. In 2025, Muir’s newscast won the Emmy for Best Live News Program for the third year in a row.
Muir’s reporting from hotspots all over the world has earned multiple Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards, and Muir was named one of the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2025. He has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for international reporting, and his work on climate change has received both the George Polk Award and the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia Award. His reporting on climate earned a record $9 million from viewers for the World Food Programme. In 2024, Muir was honored with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Muir has reported from all over the world, including dispatches from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Tahrir Square, Mogadishu, Gaza, Guantanamo, Fukushima, Beirut, Amman, South Sudan and the Syrian border. In addition, Muir’s exclusive interviews with world leaders and presidents generate global headlines.
“David Muir has established himself as one of the most credible and trustworthy journalists in the world,” said Klein College Dean David Boardman. “We are proud to hold him up as a model for our students as they move toward careers in the fields of media and communication.”
For nearly two decades, Muir has helped journalism students at his alma mater, Ithaca College, with the David Muir journalism scholarship, which encourages future journalists to study abroad.
The Excellence in the Media Award will be presented at the Klein College’s annual Lew Klein Alumni in the Media Awards dinner on Oct. 22. At the dinner, six distinguished Klein College alumni will be inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame. They are:
- Lesly Attarian ’90, vice president of development, Historic Philadelphia
- Joe Carolei ’76, director and producer, Variety Television
- John Clark ’98, sportscaster, NBC10 and NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Jordy Freed ’12, head of brand, business development, partner marketing & strategy, Sony
- Kia Johnson ’86, producer, Reuters News Agency
- Darla Price ’04, president, Ogilvy New York
This year’s Rising Star Award will be presented to Beccah Hendrickson ’16, multimedia journalist at 6abc Action News.
For full event details and honoree profiles, visit lewkleinawards.com.