TEMPE, Ariz. -- Special ASU events spotlight Cronkite Week 2008 that include Thursday's grand opening of the school’s new building in downtown Phoenix.

Schedule Of Events

The grand opening ceremony features Arizona State University President Michael Crow, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Walter Cronkite, and includes guided tours of the building for the public, and a series of speakers and panel discussions on issues facing journalists.

It will culminate in the 25th annual Walter Cronkite Award Luncheon honoring long-time PBS television journalists Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil.

The Cronkite School’s new $71 million building in the heart of downtown Phoenix opened for classes Aug. 25 following a an 18-month construction project that was launched after Phoenix voters overwhelmingly approved a bond issue that included the Cronkite project.

The building, which also will house one of the country’s largest PBS stations, KAET/Eight, is an ultra-modern structure of glass, steel and concrete built by Sundt Construction Inc. and designed by Steven Ehrlich Associates in partnership with HDR Architecture. It rises six stories along North Central Avenue, two blocks north of Van Buren Street.

The Cronkite Week celebration will feature nationally and locally known journalists who will lead discussions on topics ranging from journalism ethics and diversity to the press and politics and challenges facing journalists in a digital media age.

Visitors will be able to view a National Press Club documentary and a PBS documentary on Walter Cronkite as well as an Associated Press photo exhibit of U.S. Presidents.

They may listen to the building’s architects and artists talk about their work and attend dedication ceremonies for the Sony Television Studio and the Marguerite and Jack Clifford Gallery, which features artifacts from journalism history and items from Walter Cronkite.

All events are open to the public. Tickets are required for selected events.