The Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award - 2024: Mike Cerre '69

Mike Cerre '69

In recognition of his extraordinary ability to share stories that inform, inspire and entertain, Mike Cerre ’69 is honored with this award. 

Distinguished with many accolades, including five Emmy Awards — one of which is a national Emmy for his reporting on the first Marine unit crossing into Iraq during the 2003 invasion — Cerre’s success stretches near and far. His first broadcast project took place as a student at Notre Dame with the WNDU station. After graduating with a degree in communication arts and serving one year as a Marine Corps officer, Cerre began to travel around the world reporting on significant global events such as the 1992 Cuban Missile Crisis Reunion in Havana for ABC News, the special forces response in Afghanistan after 9/11 on ABC News Nightline with Ted Koppel, and the Syrian refugee and African climate crises for PBS NewsHour.

It is through spirited curiosity that Cerre continues to excel in multiple mediums. His documentary, The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney, which chronicles the first African American to sail around the world, earned him the prestigious Peabody Award. The Sundance Film Festival also selected his theatrical documentary CSNY: Deja Vu — which he co-produced with singer Neil Young — as its closing film in 2009. Cerre’s GLOBE TV production company has produced and hosted several television programs for networks like CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Disney Channel, A&E, HBO, and 20 international and inflight networks. 

Cerre remains dedicated to his craft, currently working as a Special Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. Now living in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife, Gina, two daughters, and four grandsons, Cerre’s incredible career continues to inspire those living under the Dome and beyond. 

“My communications arts studies at Notre Dame became my ticket to a much broader world and a life of continuing education than I ever envisioned and for which I will be forever indebted.”