Students and alumni reflect on Dan Rather lawsuit

Opinions are mixed but rather supportive.

By Lauren Maddox

With media reports and television specials presenting Dan Rather to the world, most students at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) have an image of Rather as a high-powered, unrelenting, iron-fisted journalist. With that stereotype, they make their judgments based on the recent lawsuit that Rather has filed against his former employer, CBS and its parent company Viacom.

However, people who have had a more intimate connection with Rather, whether due to a career or other interactions, seem to have a completely different image. To them, Rather is a man with genuine hospitality, striving to put others ahead of him, no matter his statute in life.

Those two opposite poles of understanding yield obvious opposite views of the issues leading up to and surrounding Rather’s lawsuit. But since this is America, we will let the people decide.

SHSU Student Meets Rather During CBS Summer Internship

It was her Southern hospitality and good manners that made Brittany Patterson stand out among the 75 CBS News Interns who worked during the summer of 2006. Part of her rotating internship brought her to the conference room of 48 Hours. Patterson tells, that as she was introduced to the entire production staff sitting at the conference table, she made the effort to walk around the room and personally shake hands with every one of them.

“I was the first person to have ever done that,” Patterson said. “It was not like a big deal to me, but it made a big impression.”

Patterson, who is now an alumnus of Sam Houston State University, was the recipient of the 2006 Sam Houston / CBS Dan Rather summer internship. Since Rather’s career took him to anchor with CBS, one summer internship spot has been reserved for an intelligent, hard-working, and deserving journalism student from SHSU.

Patterson worked for two months in New York City, where she rotated throughout various departments of the entire network. “I spent two weeks in the departments of 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, the national news desk, and the CBS radio station,” said Patterson.

Patterson also addressed the most obvious question. “Yes, I did work with Dan Rather. My impression of him was that he was a very genuine person. He was very nice,” said Patterson.

“Even though he was the ‘famous one,’ he would open doors for me and always make sure that I had everything I needed as an intern,” recalled Patterson. “He is a very professional journalist who still has a humble heart, even though he has achieved so much in his life.”

CBS Intern Voices Opinion on Lawsuit

Patterson’s internship rotation brought her to the national news desk (Dan Rather’s anchoring home) during the same time period when Rather originally broke the news about President Bush’s military service to America. This was the beginning of the news that eventually led to the lawsuit.

When asked about the issues surrounding and leading up to the lawsuit, Patterson does not feel that Sam Houston State University or herself has been affected. She also supports Rather, saying that what happened to him and his career at CBS it is not directly his fault.

“Insiders at CBS told me while I was there that Mr. Rather had asked everyone, while he was recording his voice-over, if they had gotten all of the facts,” said Patterson. “He was concerned because something did not feel right to him.”

However, as we all know, Rather went ahead with the story as planned. “He went ahead with the story, trusting someone he had worked with for over 10 years, trusting that she had gotten it right,” said Patterson.

“Directly, it was not his fault. But he should have listened to his gut and double-checked everything for himself,” said Patterson.

Patterson feels that the lawsuit is warranted and supports Rather’s decision to proceed with it. “He deserves to have his name cleared. CBS should be accountable for throwing him under the bus. It was not just his mistake; the network should have apologized for their actions as well.”

Other Students Share Different Viewpoints

Since the Dan Rather School of Communications sits right in the heart of the Sam Houston State University campus, it could be assumed that most students have, in fact, at least heard of the lawsuit. However, that was not the case.

“I have not heard anything about the lawsuit. I just know it now thanks to you!” said student Yuiko Kato, a graduating senior from the Mass Communications Department.

Other students polled at Sam Houston State University seemed to at least be aware of the lawsuit situation; however, most would consider themselves only knowledgeable about the basic lawsuit facts. Most all of them do not claim to regularly keep with the issue.

“I don’t think that many students even know about this issue; I haven’t heard too much myself,” said student Kelsey Schimek. “But I think students should be concerned because they can learn from his mistakes. No matter how big and famous you become, one blow like this one to your career can be and was ultimately fatal for you career.”

Other students felt that the simple fact of Dan Rather being an alumnus warranted enough cause for concern. “Students should be concerned, not only because it is a public issue, but also because Dan Rather is a SHSU alumni,” said Bryan Honeycutt, Viewpoints Editor for The Houstonian.

Student Jamie Wood agreed. “Dan Rather is among the most prominent of the alumni at SHSU, and I think any large issue regarding someone so directly linked to the campus should be of concern to students.”

As far as their opinion on the validity of the lawsuit, most students seemed to agree that, although unfortunate, Rather’s actions are no one’s fault accept his own.

“It is unfortunate that CBS provided no support for him after his long term commitment to them. However, as it was his gross error that led to his termination, CBS did not act unethically,” said Honeycutt.

“He should have checked the facts,” said Schimek. “I do not think that the lawsuit is warranted. The fault is his own for not taking responsibility for his actions, or lack thereof.”

“Dan Rather has a right to be angry about what happened after the broadcast, but I think he may have brought it upon himself,” explained Wood. “The public relies on the media for accurate information, and if Rather had any doubt in his mind about the story's accuracy, he should have stepped up and said something.

Wood said that Rather had a duty as a responsible journalist to check the facts, especially given the magnitude of the story. “Rather feels that he's been made a ‘scapegoat,’ but I think that's the risk he may have taken as anchor when he went public with such a controversial story about the President.”

University Alumni Relations Office Remains Loyal But Uninvolved

The Office of Alumni Relations is committed to supporting the heritage and future of the institution by serving the interests of alumni, students, and visitors, according to their website.

Kristle Castillo, Assistant Director of Membership and Marketing, said that the Office of Alumni Relations does not get involved, nor criticize or comment on the personal misfortunes of any alumni, including Dan Rather.

“I can safely say that the only judge of character we have on Dan Rather is for his kind donation that he has given the university,” said Castillo. “That has no doubt been a great part of our success in providing scholarships and encouraging growth.”

Castillo explained that Rather has been a true inspiration to many students at Sam Houston State University. “He is a constant reminder that success can come from a small town and a small school.”

Looking ahead to the future, Castillo does not see any strong impact of the lawsuit or its out-coming on the university.

“Today’s headlines will always be topped with tomorrow’s, and when the dust settles, Dan Rather will still be that alumnus that brought fame and hope to our school.”

Lawsuit Winnings Should go to SHSU

With the prospect of winning the $70 million lawsuit against CBS and Viacom, Rather has already announced to America plans to donate some of that money, as the suit is not for his financial gain. With that in mind, most students on campus hope to see a part of Rather’s donation checks be written to the university.

“I sure hope he would donate some of his lawsuit winnings!” said Honeycutt.

“If he wins the suit, I do think that he will donate more to SHSU,” said Schimek. “But I hope his donations will be allocated better. The money he has already donated has not been put to use as it should be. We should use the money to find more qualified faculty that will pass on their valuable knowledge to the students.

Some students even hope for more than a monetary donation. “He should give Mass Communications students lectures more often!” said Kato.

Playing the devil’s advocate, however, Wood believes that any donation from the lawsuit may put SHSU in a precarious position.

“Up until the broadcast was aired, Rather had a very successful career in journalism, and he knew what good reporting was. He may have made some poor decisions, but that is in no way reflective of SHSU or the Mass Communication Department. Donating money to SHSU may put our school into a messy situation, one in which we are not in any way involved. I hope Rather sees it the same way too.”

Rather Remained Involved on Campus Through Career

Dan Rather has never forgotten the little people who have helped to cultivate the successful life he has lived. Over 50 years ago, Rather graduated from Sam Houston State University (or as it was known then, Sam Houston State Teacher’s College).

According to Mickey Herskowitz, author, professor, and family friend to Rather and his wife, Jean, Rather came to the university with dreams of playing college football to pay for his tuition bill. Herskowitz said a journalism professor discovered the football player on the sidelines one day and offered him a chance to work at The Houstonian in return for tuition payments. It was this twist of fate that set Rather in motion for a powerful career in broadcasting.

In 1994, years after Rather graduated from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, the communications building adopted Dan Rather’s name in commemoration of his giving, support, and success. The Dan Rather School of Communication, built on Rather’s exhibition of the finest qualities of intellect and will, quickly became an influential part of the university.

Even up until the year before the lawsuit was filed, Rather was involved with the university. In 2006, the Rather family awarded Sam Houston State University $2 million, the largest, single amount of money ever donated to the university.

According to an article about the donation published in The Houstonian, Rather’s family made the contribution to the university’s Share the Vision capital campaign as a token of their great appreciation to the university.

“So many people, known and unknown, helped me to get through Sam Houston State when I was there, desperately trying to make it, that I’ve always wanted to give back – some how, some way, to the best of my ability,” said Rather.