Russ Mitchell, WKYC’s news anchor, will receive the Robert G. McGruder Award. Akron Beacon Journal’s reporter, Betty Lin-Fisher, will receive the Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award at the Kiva April 2 at 2 p.m.

Russ Mitchell relocated to Cleveland to be an anchor for WKYC after anchoring for CBS in New York. Gene Shelton, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State said Mitchell would be the first broadcast anchor to receive the McGruder award.

Betty Lin-Fisher has been a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal for 18 years. At the luncheon, Lin-Fisher will give her remarks on diversity. Lin-Fisher is the first Asian American to receive the Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award.

The McGruder Award is given to today’s media leaders who exemplify the commitment of Robert G. McGruder on diversity.

The awards luncheon at noon is by invitation only. The McGruder lecture April 2 at 2:00 p.m. in the Kiva is free and open to the public.

Contact Alyssa Flynn at [email protected].