bill ritter, co-anchor of WABC-TV New York's Eyewitness News, graduates from the new school

Bill Ritter, co-anchor of WABC-TV New York’s Eyewitness News, is graduating from college 44 years later than he expected. Ritter was a semester away from earning his diploma from San Diego State University in 1972 when he was kicked out for demonstrating against the Vietnam War.

In 2012, urged by his children to get his degree, the Emmy Award-winning reporter and TV news anchor decided it was time to go back to school. On May 20, he will wear his cap and gown as he graduates from The New School.

A few highlights of Ritter's college experience and graduation:

• In his Food, Gender, and Race in Media class, Ritter completed a project about the rebirth of prison gardens around the country, and how they’re helping to improve the quality of life for incarcerated individuals. He later turned the project into a story for ABC and Eyewitness News, which helped grow the program.

• Ritter’s fellow students have chosen him to speak at their “Recognition Ceremony” on Wednesday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. at The New School’s Alvin Johnson/J. M. Kaplan Hall, 66 West 12th St.

• Ritter will receive is diploma at The New School's Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 20, at 11 a.m. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th St. The ceremony will feature a series of brief, impactful speeches from honorary degree receipients actress Laverne Cox, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson, media critic Anita Sarkeesian, International Rescue Committee president and CEO David Miliband, and forensic anthropologist Mercedes Doretti.

To schedule an interview with Bill Ritter and/or to attend his "Recognition Ceremony," contact Scott Gargan at [email protected] or 212.229.5667 x 3794.