Waltons Creator Earl Hamner to Address University of Cincinnati Graduates

Earl Hamner, author and creator of the long-running television series, “The Waltons,” and an alumnus of the UC College-Conservatory of Music, will address graduates at the University of Cincinnati All-University Commencement ceremonies. Ceremonies take place at 9 a.m. and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. Hamner will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts Degree during the 2 p.m. ceremony.

The author of six novels, Hamner’s “Spencer’s Mountain” and “The Homecoming” became movies that inspired the popular TV series, “The Waltons,” which drew as many as 50 million American viewers to Thursday night television. The series, which aired from 1972-1981, was an autobiographical account of hardship, hope and the values, warmth and strength of family growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains during The Great Depression. The series was also narrated by Hamner, who graduated in 1948 from UC’s College-Conservatory of Music. “The Waltons” remains in syndication and has aired in nearly every country around the world.

Hamner pursued his studies at UC after serving in World War II. After graduation, Hamner first joined the writing staff of WLW radio before taking leave to work full-time on his first novel. At the WLW job, he was replaced by Rod Serling, creator of “The Twilight Zone,” a popular science-fiction television series for which Hamner was a contributor. Hamner also worked as a reporter for The Today Show and created the long-running television series “Falcon Crest.” His motion picture credits include the cult classic, “Palm Springs Weekend,” “Where the Lilies Bloom,” and the animated feature based on the E.B. White classic, “Charlotte’s Web.”

Born in 1923 in Nelson County, Va., Hamner is the recipient of an Emmy, six Christopher Awards and the highest honor in broadcast journalism, the George Foster Peabody Award. He lives in Studio City and Laguna Beach, Calif. with his wife, Jane. They have two adult children, Scott and Caroline, and the family dog, a pug named Peaches.

UC to Award Four Honorary Doctorates and an Award for Excellence at All-University Commencement

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