Katherine Anne Couric, born in Arlington, Virginia, is a journalist, presenter, author, and producer. She is the youngest child of John Couric, a retired journalist and public relations executive, and his wife, Elinor.
Couric went to Arlington public schools and was a cheerleader. In high school, she worked as an intern in all-news radio station WAVA, where she gained remarkable experience. In 1975, she enrolled at the University of Virginia, her father’s alma mater, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies. At the university, she was a Tri Delta sorority sister.
Following her interests in journalism, Couric joined UVA’s award-winning daily newspaper, The Cavalier Daily and served in multiple positions. As a senior, Couric was selected to be a Senior Resident of The Lawn. Reflecting on her life and experience in the College of Arts and Sciences, Katie Couric described her four years at the University of Virginia as the period that sparked intellectual curiosity.
Her degree in American studies and English developed her writing skills and gave her the knowledge of history necessary to apply context to current events, ideas, and issues. According to Couric, her time in college helped refine a certain civility, poise, and respect that formed the basis of her ground-breaking career in TV news.
After graduating from college, she moved to Washington, D.C. to start her career in television with the ABC News Bureau. She would go on to work with CNN, CBS, NBC, and Yahoo, winning multiple awards throughout her illustrious career. She rose to national fame when she became the co-host of “The Today Show” on NBC and has interviewed many prominent figures.
After losing her husband to colon cancer in 1998, she became an advocate for awareness of the disease, and her popularity has helped draw attention and support to the cause. In 2018, she was part of the dedication ceremony of the Emily Couric Cancer Center at UVA, named after her sister who died 17 years before.
While delivering a speech at the send-off ceremony for UVA graduates, Couric made many references to her time in the school. She spoke fondly of the university professors, friends, the exciting hikes on Skyline Drive, parties, and the football games. Most importantly, she noted that the values her parents raised her with were further established at the University of Virginia.