Ralph Penza
Encyclopedia
Ralph Penza was a senior correspondent and substitute anchor for WNBC
in New York City
. He first joined WNBC in 1980, left the station in 1995 and rejoined it in October 1997. Among his many honours are six Emmy Awards and two New York Press Club
Gold Typewriter awards.
Prior to joining WNBC, Penza worked as news director at WSAV radio in Savannah, GA, anchor and reporter at WDVM
in Washington, D. C., an anchor at WCAU in Philadelphia, a producer, reporter and anchor at WCBS
, and a producer at WABC
.
Penza graduated from New York University
, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Delta
, with a bachelor's degree in radio and television. Previous to that he'd graduated from Valley Stream Central High School
in Valley Stream, New York
. He lived most of his adult life in Malverne, New York, immediately adjacent to his boyhood hometown in Valley Stream.
In February 1998, while covering Pope John Paul II
's trip to Cuba
, Penza located Joanne Chesimard
, who was convicted of killing New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster 24 years before. Chesimard was sentenced to life in prison but escaped in 1979 and fled to Cuba for political asylum. She spoke to Penza in an interview where she maintained her innocence and recounted the night of the shooting, according to Penza's bio on the station's Web site.
Penza was a former president of the "Inner Circle," an organization of political reporters. He was the first television journalist to be named head of that organization.
Penza's daughter Christina is a reporter at New York station WPIX
.
WNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He first joined WNBC in 1980, left the station in 1995 and rejoined it in October 1997. Among his many honours are six Emmy Awards and two New York Press Club
New York Press Club
The New York Press Club is a membership organization of and for journalists and media professionals in the New York City metropolitan area. The club is a private, non-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any government office or agency and does not advocate or participate in any political...
Gold Typewriter awards.
Prior to joining WNBC, Penza worked as news director at WSAV radio in Savannah, GA, anchor and reporter at WDVM
WUSA (TV)
WUSA is a television station broadcasting on channel 9 in Washington, D.C.. Owned by the Gannett Company, WUSA is an affiliate of the CBS television network, and the longest-tenured affiliate of that network...
in Washington, D. C., an anchor at WCAU in Philadelphia, a producer, reporter and anchor at WCBS
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
, and a producer at WABC
WABC-TV
WABC-TV, channel 7, is the flagship station of the Disney-owned American Broadcasting Company located in New York City. The station's studios and offices are located on the Upper West Side section of Manhattan, adjacent to ABC's corporate headquarters, and its transmitter is atop the Empire State...
.
Penza graduated from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Delta
Alpha Phi Delta
Alpha Phi Delta , commonly referred to as APD, is a Greek social fraternity that evolved from an exclusive Italian society at Syracuse University in 1914. There were seven founding members who strove to create a brotherhood that would last long after their college days...
, with a bachelor's degree in radio and television. Previous to that he'd graduated from Valley Stream Central High School
Valley Stream Central High School
Valley Stream Central High School is a public senior high school in the village of Valley Stream, New York in southwest Nassau County. It is part of the Valley Stream Central High School District.-Principals:A list of school principals:...
in Valley Stream, New York
Valley Stream, New York
Valley Stream is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population in the village of Valley Stream was 37,511 at the 2010 census...
. He lived most of his adult life in Malverne, New York, immediately adjacent to his boyhood hometown in Valley Stream.
In February 1998, while covering Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
's trip to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Penza located Joanne Chesimard
Assata Shakur
Assata Olugbala Shakur is an African-American activist and escaped convict who was a member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army...
, who was convicted of killing New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster 24 years before. Chesimard was sentenced to life in prison but escaped in 1979 and fled to Cuba for political asylum. She spoke to Penza in an interview where she maintained her innocence and recounted the night of the shooting, according to Penza's bio on the station's Web site.
Penza was a former president of the "Inner Circle," an organization of political reporters. He was the first television journalist to be named head of that organization.
Penza's daughter Christina is a reporter at New York station WPIX
WPIX
WPIX, channel 11, is a television station in New York City built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WPIX also serves as the flagship station of The CW Television Network...
.
External links
- http://davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1961-62/section%20B%201%20Radio%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201961-1962-9.pdf, shows he worked as a news director