Hugh Downs, 99, passed away July 1, 2020. Downs was a five-time Emmy Award-winning American broadcaster, author, host and founding voice in modern American media. His pursuit of honest communication is the reason Downs was asked in 1999 to lend his name to a new school in ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The  Hugh Downs School of Human Communication is dedicated to studying and understanding the complex processes involved in everyday communication.

Always eager to share what he learned in the many experiences of his long life, Downs chose ASU to house his collection of memorabilia. More than 650 personal and professional items are curated by the Hugh Downs School to promote the pursuit of studies related to the field of human communication, promote constructive dialogue and scholarly research related to the life and career of the school’s distinguished namesake, and generally promote effective communication between individuals in all aspects of life.

During ASU Homecoming week in 2012, Downs was featured in an interview and Q&A event at the school. He told the audience, “I was so honored to have this school named after me. That's been a kind of a second career for me. I just love being connected with the school. And the privilege of talking to students at times, that's kind of the high point for me.”

On February 20, 2010 Downs was the luncheon speaker at the ASU Retirees Association Retirees Day event organized by Val Peterson, Past President.

Downs is survived by his son and daughter, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife, Ruth, preceded him in death in 2017 at the age of 95. (Source: ASU Now)