Jan. 5, 2017 update: Fox received his fourth Emmy Award from the National Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences (Suncoast Chapter), won for a series of investigative reports on transportation challenges in the Orlando area.
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If you want to see where a degree in communication from High Point University can take someone, look no further than three-time Emmy Award winner Greg Fox.
Fox is a 1983 HPU graduate and a 27-year veteran reporter at WESH 2, an NBC Television affiliate station in Orlando, Florida. He’s appeared as a political analyst on network programs including MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” NBC’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams” and on C-Span.
Fox was recently honored with the “Silver Circle Award” from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The award is given to individuals who have worked with distinction in the television industry for 25 years or more.
“I was thrilled to learn that my work in broadcasting was being recognized,” says Fox. “You always hope your work makes a difference for your audience and your story subjects, but to be recognized by your peers is extremely rewarding.”
With a bachelor of arts in communication, Fox’s advice for current HPU communication majors is to pursue internship opportunities early – case in point, Fox interned with WGHP Fox 8 in High Point (previously the region’s ABC affiliate) during his junior year, which led to his first full-time job in television.
“Real world experience will help you to focus on your career goal, push you to get class work done sooner, and provide an early sampling of the broadcast industry. Only then can you decide if it’s a good career fit for you,” says Fox. “Turns out, it was a great fit for me, with the encouragement and academic training I received at HPU.”
Fox credits retired HPU professors Shirley Rawley and Dr. John Moehlmann for giving him a creative edge in journalism.
“Years ago, HPU faculty and staff helped me make the most of my studies. They focused so intently on creative story telling – not just the journalism basics,” says Fox. “The production studio itself was small back then, but our instructors worked hard to help us realize our big dreams.”
The broadcasting veteran also recognizes HPU’s ongoing promise to prepare students not only for the world as it is, but for the world as it is going to be.
“I’m pleased to read about the many great programs and technological advancements provided to students in the Qubein School of Communication,” says Fox. “It takes that kind of commitment to prepare students for today’s broadcast industry.”
Receiving the Silver Circle marks Fox’s third Emmy Award; his first honored a series of reports on the harsh political and economic conditions on the people of Cuba, while his second was for an investigation of red light camera systems. He is also the recipient of many other awards including (twice) the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism.