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ANCHOR INTRO: A prestigious award is given here at Kent State for diversity in broadcast media. TV2’s Jarrod Evangelist explains.

The Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication awarded  its annual Robert G. McGruder award to Kate O’ Brian of Al Jazzera America.

O’ Brian serves as the network’s president and was a longtime journalist at ABC news before joining Al Jazzera in 2013.

“We’re not really like the other news organizations. I don’t feel like we’re following them.” O’Brian said.

Al Jazzera America is one of the newest cable news networks.

The Robert G. McGruder award is named a Kent State graduate who became the first African American editor for the Daily Kent Stater.

McGruder went on to have an extensive career and became a pioneer in finding diversity in journalism.

McGruder died at the age of 60 in 2002.

“It’s certainly an honor to be supportive of my husband’s legacy.” Annette McGruder said.

In addition to the award, a scholarship is given called the Robert G. McGruder Distinguished Lecture and Award Program.