Troy University alum Tom Foreman of CNN visited with students at the Hall School of Journalism on Friday afternoon.

Foreman, who graduated magna cum laude from the university in 1981, finished his journalism degree in three years.

“I was sitting where you were a heartbeat ago, wondering what would happen,” Foreman shared.

Foreman began his journalism career in Opp at WAMI and then worked at WTBF and TSU-TV in Troy. He was the first person to be hired straight out of college by Montgomery television station WSFA.

Foreman said the news director at the time told a group of interns, including the now three-time Emmy award winner, that the station simply required experience.

Foreman said he worked hard, in every aspect of the job, to change the news director’s mind.

“When my internship was over, I wanted them to miss me,” Foreman shared, adding that a couple of weeks after he graduated, he was hired at Channel 12.

“Stay a little longer. Work a little harder. Be a little brighter,” the seasoned journalist encouraged the students.

Foreman left Montgomery for WWL-TV in New Orleans and then went to work for ABC News. He was stationed in Denver, Colo. In 2000, he took a senior anchor position at the National Geographic Channel in Washington, D.C. and four years later began working for CNN.

Foreman was the first ABC reporter on the streets during the Los Angeles riots, covered the Jeffrey Dahmer and O.J. Simpson cases and reported the shooting in Columbine. He’s traveled all 50 states and 20 countries to relay news stories to the world.

“I’ve had a wonderful, fun time,” Foreman said to the students. “It’s your turn.”

“Don’t let your hopes and what you want for your life get away from you.”

Foreman can currently be seen on CNN reporting on political issues for Anderson Cooper 360º, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and John King, USA.

While Foreman is in Troy, he will also host the 125th birthday gala celebration at Troy University on Saturday.

The events begin at 4 p.m. with the induction of the Trojan Shield Society, followed by a reception at 6 p.m. in the Trojan Center lobby and dinner at 7 p.m. in the Trojan Center ballroom.

To see a photo gallery of Foreman’s visit, go to www.troymessenger.com.