Editors, news directors: A photo of
Helen Thomas is available at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/THOMAS.JPG
ATHENS, Ohio (March 13, 2000) -- United Press International White House Bureau Chief Helen
Thomas has accepted Ohio University's invitation to speak at two
undergraduate commencement ceremonies June 10.
Known as the "dean of the White House correspondents" by her colleagues,
Thomas has worked for the wire service since 1943 when she began work in
Washington writing radio news. She began covering the White House in
January 1961 following the election of President John F. Kennedy. It was
during this first White House assignment that Thomas began closing
presidential press conferences with "Thank you, Mr. President," a tradition
that continues to this day.
"This is a great honor for me," Thomas said. "I have enjoyed my visits to
Ohio University where I met with many of the students and the faculty. I
have been especially impressed by the university's school of journalism and
I've met many of its graduates."
Thomas was the only woman print journalist traveling with President
Richard Nixon during his breakthrough trip to China in 1972. She has
traveled around the world with presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and
Bush and covered every presidential economic summit.
Thomas was the first woman officer of the National Press Club and the
White House Correspondents Association and the first woman member of the
Gridiron Club.
Born in Winchester, Ky., Thomas grew up in Detroit and graduated from
Wayne State University.
In 1977 she received the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's Carr Van Anda
Award, the school's highest honor. She has been a visiting professional at
the school.
Thomas is the author of two books, "Front Row at the White House" and
"Dateline: White House."
