IBA Remembers Steve Bell

Former ABC News reporter and anchor and Ball Endowed Chair Emeritus in Telecommunications at Ball State University, Steve Bell, passed away last week at the age of 83.

Bell was the recipient of the 2017 Indiana Broadcasters Association Lifetime Achievement Award – the IBA’s highest honor – recognizing individuals for exceptional meritorious service, contributions to, or achievements in the field of broadcasting in Indiana over the course of a career.

During Bell’s more than 30-year career on network and local news, he covered many historic events including the Newark and East Harlem riots, anti-war protests in Washington, the assassination and funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was on the scene when Senator Robert Kennedy was shot in 1968.

In November 1975, Bell became the first news anchor for “Good Morning America.” For the next decade, his reports included presidential conventions and campaigns, the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement, the Sadat assassination and overseas trips with presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. From 1987-1992 Bell was news anchor for KWY-TV in Philadelphia where he continued to cover national politics and conventions and reported from Russia, Korea and the Middle East.

While teaching at Ball State, Bell moderated national and international conferences and teleconferences.

Bell received Emmy awards, an Overseas Press Club award and a Headliner’s award.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bell’s family and friends.

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