Gene Jankowski is the former president of the CBS Broadcast Group. Born in 1934 in Buffalo, New York, he graduated from Canisius College, served in the US Navy, and received his master's degree from Michigan State University. Jankowski began his career with the CBS Corporation in 1961 and served as president and chairman from 1977 to 1989. In the late 1980s, Jankowski also held the position of advisor and managing director of the private equity firm VSS. Jankowski is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute, where he has served as a board member since 1977. His past board service includes Canisius College, Catholic University, Georgetown University, the American Red Cross-National Board of Governors, TV Azteca in Mexico City, and St. Vincent's Medical Center. Jankowski has funded scholarships in his name at Canisius and MSU to honor his commitment to the telecommunication industry. He is a co-author of the book Television, Today and Tomorrow, published by the Oxford University Press in 1995.

  • Gene in the Navy.

  • Gene became president of CBS Broadcast Group in 1977.

  • Gene at Arthur Godfrey's farm in Virginia.

  • CBS 50th Anniversary Special.

  • Gene with Red Skelton and Carroll O'Connor.

  • Gene with actress Cicely Tyson.

  • Gene with Walter Cronkite at the US Open.

  • Gene with president George H.W. Bush.

  • Gene receives "Good Scout Award" from John Madden.

  • Gene with Pope John Paul II.

  • Gene with CJ the orangutan.

  • Gene with Diane Sawyer.

  • Gene with Angela Lansbury.

  • Gene with Dan Rather and Martha Stewart.

  • Gene with Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford.

AWARDS AND TRIBUTES

Gene F. Jankowski Scholarship in Telecommunication at Michigan State University: The scholarship is awarded to African American students or graduates of Detroit public high schools with an excellent academic record and demonstrated leadership ability through extracurricular involvement.

Gene F. Jankowski Award of Excellence at Canisius University: The award is given to a graduating senior in Communication Studies or Digital Media Arts who has demonstrated academic excellence.

National Education Association Advancement of Learning through Television

Outstanding Alumni Award, Michigan State University College of Communication Arts/Science, 1990

Good Scout Award—BSA, 1983

American Red Cross Certificate of Appreciation, Board of Governors, 1984–1992

Adjunct Professor of Communications, Michigan State University

Director, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut

Chairman of the Board, St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing

Director of Board, Georgetown University

American Film Institute

  • Member, Board of Trustees

  • Member of Executive Committee

  • Chairman of Board

Board of Directors, Catholic University

International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 

  • Board Member 

  • President 

  • Fellow 

Board of Directors, Canisius College

Honorary Doctor Degrees: Michigan State University, Canisius College

Board of Directors, Television Azteca, Mexico

Director, CASA—Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Distinguished Alumni Awards: Michigan State University (1981), Canisius College

Trans-Lux Corporation 

  • Board Member 

  • Chairman of Board

Knight of Malta

Board Member, American Advertising Federation

Executive in Residence, St. Bonaventure University, 1983

American Women in Radio and Television, 1984

Media Award, Polish American Congress, 1979

Distinguished Communication Medal, Southern Baptists

Polish World American Citizen of the Year, 1979

Giant of Broadcasting

Buffalo Broadcaster Hall of Fame, 2022

Variety Children Charity Heart to Heart Humanitarian Award, 1986

National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award

International Radio and Television Faculty Industry Service, 1973

Avatar Award Broadcast Financial Management