Bob Orr ’75, CBS News Correspondent & Emmy Award Winner, Returns to Bethany for Grimes Lecture Series

BETHANY, W.Va., (Sept. 29, 2025) — Bethany College hosted alumnus and Emmy Award-winning CBS News correspondent Bob Orr ’75 as the featured speaker for the annual Grimes Lecture, held on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Orr, a 1975 graduate of Bethany College, shared reflections on his distinguished career as a journalist, offering students, faculty, staff and alumni an inside look at the challenges and responsibilities of reporting on major world events. Throughout his career at CBS News, Orr covered national security, law enforcement, and global affairs, becoming a trusted source for millions of Americans.

During his remarks, Orr shared a personal story that illustrated the profound impact of journalism. While standing in line at a hotel café, he recalled feeling someone repeatedly kicking his leg. When he turned around, he saw two people wearing photographs of their husband and father, a passenger of the Pittsburgh, Pa., 1994 plane crash. Recognizing Orr as a news correspondent, they asked him, “Please help us find out what happened here.” The moment he explained reinforced the significance of his work. “After that, I never doubted the importance of the mission. It mattered to people. And the press played a small role in that,” Orr said. His reflection underscored the responsibility of the press to inform the public and uphold democratic values.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Orr credited Bethany College with laying the foundation for his career in communications. He noted how the College’s small, close-knit environment gave him opportunities to develop his voice, pursue his interests in media, and build the confidence necessary to excel in one of the world’s most competitive fields. His return to campus provided current students with a living example of where a Bethany education can lead.

The Grimes Lecture Series continues Bethany’s tradition of engaging students and the broader community with voices of leadership, service, and professional excellence. The event also celebrates Bethany College’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful contributions in media, communications, and beyond, drawing inspiration from alumni like Orr whose lives and careers exemplify the College’s values.