By Haley ED Houseman

Journalist, author, and former moderator of NBC News’ Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press, David Gregory lectured and met with students at Tufts University last week.

On Thursday of last week, the Tuft’s campus played host to David Gregory, a prominent television journalist, author, and former moderator of NBC News’ Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press.

Most recently known for his book, How’s Your Faith? An Unlikely Spiritual Journey, Gregory spoke to students and community members about his history in media, the productive outcomes of setbacks in a career and the insights his new faithfulness has yielded. He spoke at length about the tempestuous role of faith in the American life and its unexpected relevance to him later in his own life. Students were then able to ask questions directly, mostly speaking to journalism as profession.

Gregory has been working in journalism for more than 25 years, in a career spanning many breaking news story including the killing of Osama bin Laden and four presidential elections. He served as a White House correspondent during the tenure of George W. Bush, where he had both close ties and conflicts with the administration. He drew controversy through his reportage and roles in recent years, including while serving as a moderator for Meet the Press. It is this milieu that serves as a backdrop in his recent book, prompting a new consideration of spiritual concerns and personal history.

The lecture was presented as part of the Tisch College Distinguished Speaker Series, launched in 2014, which aim to educate and engage students at Tufts, “providing them with opportunities to interact with leaders from diverse fields.”

After the question and answer period with students, attendees were able to receive a copy of Gregory’s new book and get it signed. Students eager for an opportunity to meet the newscaster lined up and waited patiently to shake the author’s hand and receive a signed copy. Student interest was high, and Gregory seemed delighted to speak to the budding journalists.

— Photos by Haley ED Houseman