Phil Ponce
Encyclopedia
Phil Ponce is a Chicago television journalist who hosts Chicago Tonight
, a nightly television magazine of news and culture on WTTW
11.
Ponce grew up in East Chicago, Indiana
, and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute
in Hammond. He then attended Indiana University
and received a B.A. in English in 1971. In 1974 he received a law degree from the University of Michigan. In 1982 he joined the Chicago CBS station WBBM-TV as a reporter. In 1992, he began his career at WTTW11 as a correspondent for Chicago Tonight
— a position he held until 1997 when he left to become one of Jim Lehrer's supporting anchors on the national PBS show, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. He returned to Chicago two years later as the successor to long-time Chicago Tonight host, John Callaway
(Callaway later hosted WTTW's Friday Night program). Ponce also teaches journalism at Loyola University Chicago
where he is the university's distinguished journalist in residence.
He has received numerous awards for his work. In 2007, he was an honorary inductee into Alpha Sigma Nu
, the Jesuit honor society. Other awards include Illinois Journalist of the Year, the Studs Terkel Award and the IU Latino Alumni Award.
Phil Ponce's wife, Ann Ponce, is a Chicago portrait and landscape artist. Ponce's daughter, Maria Ponce, is a photographer in Chicago. Ponce also has two sons. Dan Ponce
is the founder of the a cappella group, Straight No Chaser
, and was a television reporter with ABC7 (WLS-TV
) in Chicago for three years until leaving in January 2009. Dan returned to Chicago television in September 2010 with WGN-TV
. His other son, Anthony Ponce, is currently a television reporter with NBC5 (WMAQ-TV
), also in Chicago. All have degrees from Indiana University
and Ponce's sons also have graduate degrees from Northwestern University
's Medill School of Journalism
.
Chicago Tonight
Chicago Tonight is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on WTTW in Chicago. Chicago Tonight reports primarily on local news and presents features showcasing local artists and events. The show started in 1984 and for 15 years popular Chicago broadcast journalist John Callaway...
, a nightly television magazine of news and culture on WTTW
WTTW
WTTW channel 11 is one of three Public Broadcasting Service member public television stations serving the Chicago, Illinois market; the others are WYCC and WYIN. WTTW began broadcasting on September 6, 1955 and it is owned and operated by Window to the World Communications, Inc., a not-for-profit...
11.
Ponce grew up in East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana. The population was 29,698 at the 2010 census.-Geography:East Chicago is located at ....
, and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Hammond, Indiana. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary.-Background:...
in Hammond. He then attended Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
and received a B.A. in English in 1971. In 1974 he received a law degree from the University of Michigan. In 1982 he joined the Chicago CBS station WBBM-TV as a reporter. In 1992, he began his career at WTTW11 as a correspondent for Chicago Tonight
Chicago Tonight
Chicago Tonight is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on WTTW in Chicago. Chicago Tonight reports primarily on local news and presents features showcasing local artists and events. The show started in 1984 and for 15 years popular Chicago broadcast journalist John Callaway...
— a position he held until 1997 when he left to become one of Jim Lehrer's supporting anchors on the national PBS show, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. He returned to Chicago two years later as the successor to long-time Chicago Tonight host, John Callaway
John Callaway (journalist)
John Callaway was an American journalist, who appeared on radio and television as a host, interviewer and moderator...
(Callaway later hosted WTTW's Friday Night program). Ponce also teaches journalism at Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
where he is the university's distinguished journalist in residence.
He has received numerous awards for his work. In 2007, he was an honorary inductee into Alpha Sigma Nu
Alpha Sigma Nu
Alpha Sigma Nu was founded at Marquette University in 1915 by John Danihy, S.J., Dean of Journalism. In his travels and reading, Father Danihy had encountered and admired honor societies...
, the Jesuit honor society. Other awards include Illinois Journalist of the Year, the Studs Terkel Award and the IU Latino Alumni Award.
Phil Ponce's wife, Ann Ponce, is a Chicago portrait and landscape artist. Ponce's daughter, Maria Ponce, is a photographer in Chicago. Ponce also has two sons. Dan Ponce
Dan Ponce
Dan Ponce is a Chicago television journalist for WGN-TV and founder of the renowned a cappella group Straight No Chaser.-Career and background:His TV career began in 2005 when Dan was hired at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan, as a reporter and weekend anchor...
is the founder of the a cappella group, Straight No Chaser
Straight No Chaser (a cappella group)
Straight No Chaser is the name of two related but separate a cappella men's singing groups. The Indiana University group is composed of 10 to 12 undergraduate men whose lineup changes every year. The professional group, known simply as Straight No Chaser, is composed of former members, mostly...
, and was a television reporter with ABC7 (WLS-TV
WLS-TV
WLS-TV, virtual channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The station operates their full power digital operations on UHF channel 44, with their digital fill-in translator on VHF channel...
) in Chicago for three years until leaving in January 2009. Dan returned to Chicago television in September 2010 with WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
. His other son, Anthony Ponce, is currently a television reporter with NBC5 (WMAQ-TV
WMAQ-TV
WMAQ-TV, channel 5, is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC Television Network, located in Chicago, Illinois. WMAQ-TV's main studios and offices are located within the NBC Tower in the Streeterville neighborhood, with an auxiliary street-level studio on the Magnificent Mile at 401...
), also in Chicago. All have degrees from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
and Ponce's sons also have graduate degrees from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
's Medill School of Journalism
Medill School of Journalism
The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications is a constituent school of Northwestern University which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has consistently been one of the top-ranked schools in Journalism in the United States...
.