WTTW’s Phil Ponce named visiting lecturer at Loyola

December 12, 2018

In his role as Visiting Professional in Residence, Ponce will conduct a series of lectures and workshops on interviewing. Ponce has developed an expertise in interviewing in his role on Chicago Tonight, the nightly television magazine of news and culture on WTTW-11, the most-watched PBS station in the country. Phil Ponce, the award-winning journalist and host of Chicago Tonight, has been appointed as a visiting lecturer at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Communication.

Ponce conducts nightly interviews with news-makers, authors and artists and moderates panels on topics ranging from business and medicine to the arts and education. He will share his knowledge and skills with students in Loyola’s School of Communication.

Ponce previously taught interviewing at Loyola, and is excited to return.

"I am so pleased to return to Loyola, where the faculty is outstanding and the students motivated,” Ponce said. “More than ever, what journalists do is vital to our country and preparing the next generation is a trust and duty.  Rejoining the Loyola team is exciting and gratifying."

Ponce’s career includes serving as one of Jim Lehrer’s anchors on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and moderating political debates ranging from the presidency to Chicago alderman. He also has been a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. 

He has an undergraduate degree in English from Indiana University, a law degree from the University of Michigan and practiced law for six years before becoming a journalist.

Ponce’s awards include Illinois Journalist of the Year, the Studs Terkel Award for Journalism and the City Club of Chicago’s Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Ponce and his artist wife, Ann, live in Chicago.  Their two sons, Dan and Anthony, also are Chicago broadcasters; their daughter, Maria is a Chicago photographer.

“I’m thrilled that Phil is returning to Loyola,” said John Slania, Acting Dean in the School of Communication. “Phil is a highly-respected journalist and a great colleague. He brings a new degree of sophistication and energy to our program. He has deep knowledge and experience, and our students will benefit from his lectures.”