The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate will offer "Today Show" co-host Meredith Vieira the Light on the Hill Award. Vieira, who graduated from Tufts in 1975 with a degree in English, will receive the award on campus this spring if she accepts.
"Meredith is one of the most recognizable people in American media today" TCU President Neil DiBiase said. "She's also demonstrated a commitment to Tufts by being the face of our capital campaign."
Specifically, she appears on a 14-minute video produced by twin sisters Nancy Stern and Lisa Lax (both LA '86). The film promotes Beyond Boundaries, Tufts' ongoing campaign that aims to raise $1.2 billion.
"She gave a strong image to the ... video," Alumni Association President Sunny Breed (J '66) said. "So people certainly know that Meredith is a Tufts grad and [that] she presents that proudly."
Vieira also displayed this pride last year when she took over Katie Couric's slot on the "Today Show," as a Tufts banner was hanging on the set for her first episode.
Before moving to the "Today Show," Vieira served as a co-host of "The View" and as a correspondent for "60 Minutes." She has also served as the host of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" since 2002. To date, she has won seven news Emmys.
Apart from her role in advertising the capital campaign, Vieira also served as the host for last year's "From Ballou to Broadway" ceremony in New York, where she was given a P.T. Barnum Award for excellence in the entertainment industry.
The Light on the Hill Award is given every year to a distinguished graduate. Last year's recipient was Peter Gallagher (A '77), who played Sandy Cohen on the popular TV show "The O.C." and has been in a number of movies, including "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) and "American Beauty" (1999).
Actor Hank Azaria (LA '85), former NBC News President Neal Shapiro (LA '80) and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (A'70, F'71) have also been honored in past years.
"[The Senate has] given it to some remarkable people, some incredibly capable Tufts alumni, and Meredith is certainly one of those people," Breed said.
An official invitation will likely be sent to Vieira at some point this month. Then, the Senate will wait to hear back about whether she will accept the offer.
Currently, DiBiase is cautiously optimistic that she will.
"You always run a risk, because [she has] a much busier schedule than some other people," DiBiase said. "I'm optimistic, but I really have no idea."
