Colleen McEdwards

Host of CNN's "World News" was an English student at Waterloo

1999 Arts Alumni Achievement Recipient: Colleen McEdwards

McEdwards graduated in 1988 with a co-op degree in English Literature and moved to New Brunswick to report for ATV news. This was the first stop on what has been a highly successful career that included stints at CTV in Toronto, CBC in Windsor, Toronto (as senior political reporter covering the Ontario legislature), and Prague in the Czech Republic, and most recently CNN International where she hosts "World News", a program seen in more than 200 countries but not broadcast in North America.

Despite much relocation, McEdwards has maintained substantial community service activities, including work as a Big Sister, helping to launch a public-style educational radio station in Haiti, serving as a volunteer lecturer in English and Journalism in Prague during the collapse of Communism, and assisting with an inner-city reading program in Atlanta schools.

Known in her field as compassionate, responsible and tough, McEdwards is also highly regarded in political circles for her equanimity and reporting style on issues, particularly those affecting women. She is often called upon to speak on the subject of journalism, or about the many stories she has covered as a reporter.