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Alumni Spotlight: Eric Hanson



Award winning KCCI 8 News morning anchor, Eric Hanson is our November Alum of the Month. Hanson graduated from Roland-Story High School. He grew up on a farm with his parents and his three siblings, who were all involved in 4-H in Story County. “4-H is important to me because it strengthen my communications skills,” said Hanson. Hanson also says the 4-H taught him confidence, leadership and communication.

He was an eight year member of the Howard Rockets and participated in swine, dog, rabbit, woodworking, rocketry, photography, communication, leadership and much more. Hanson’s favorite 4-H memory was during dog obedience class. “Dog obedience class was every Tuesday night in Ames,” said Hanson. “My 4-H leader picked me and my dog up, drove us to class with 100-ish others and we’d always go to Burger King afterwards, bonding as a group.” Hanson also met First Lady Barbara Bush in 1991 at Living History Farms and gave her a one on one presentation about tractor safety.
After high school, Hanson attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where he double majored in Electronic Media and Public Relations. Hanson has been a reporter since 2000 at KCCI-TV. In August 2014, he was named morning anchor. Through his work, Hanson has visited England, Haiti and South Africa to write stories.

Perhaps best known for his weekly “This is Iowa” segments, Hanson has received three national Edward R. Murrow awards, two national Society of Professional Journalists awards, five Emmy’s and numerous local and regional awards.

Hanson is married and has a seven year old daughter and a five year old son. Hanson has completed his quest to visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the nation. He is also active at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, singing in a gospel quintet. “I continue to stay in touch with my 4-H friends, my club leaders and my county extension leaders,” said Hanson. “The opportunities you get from the 4-H program are invaluable.”


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