NEWS COVERAGE

Publishers Weekly Booklife Review of Behind the Eye

“…a breezy, warm-hearted look at the human side of the business of mass culture, at its commercial apex.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

NRP's WLRN Invites Gene Jankowksi on the Show

The conversation with Gene Jankowski starts at the 36:09 minute mark. You can also find the episode in Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching The South Florida Roundup.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Kirkus Review of Behind the Eye

"An engaging corporate memoir and love letter to the television industry."

READ THE REVIEW

St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute — Alumni News

"We're happy to share that alumnus Gene Jankowski '51 has authored a memoir titled Behind the Eye: My Life in Media."

READ THE HIGHLIGHT

Columbia Journalism Review — A Tipping Point at CBS News

““Who would have thought this is the piece that would get me fired?” Bill Owens, the former executive producer of 60 Minutes, said in the screening room. For the past year, CBS journalists have been up against extraordinary pressure."

READ THE ARTICLE

Buffalo Magazine — AWNY authors uncover secrets, solve mysteries and more

Buffalo native Gene Jankowski recalls career highlights and his years as president of CBS Broadcast Group in “Behind the Eye: My Life in Media.”

READ THE ARTICLE

WKBW TV — 'Behind the Eye' tells the story of WNY native

'Behind the Eye' tells the story of WNY native Gene Jankowski, the former president of CBS.

WATCH THE VIDEO

NPR's WLRN Interviews Gene Jankowski

"Gene's upcoming memoir, Behind the Eye: My Life in the Media, details his life, his experiences through the industry, and his thoughts on the future of journalism in an increasingly polarized America."

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Former CBS president Gene Jankowski joins Classic Conversations to share vivid memories from the golden age of television.

From the early days of network broadcasting to overseeing cultural icons like Dallas, M*A*S*H, and 60 Minutes, Gene reflects on the creative risks, behind-the-scenes decisions, and human connections that defined CBS’s rise to dominance in the late ’70s and ’80s.

LISTEN HERE

Behind the Eye: Lessons from CBS's Legendary President Gene Jankowski

Former CBS president Gene Jankowski joins Classic Conversations to share vivid memories from the golden age of television.

LISTEN HERE

The Night 300 Million People Watched Dallas: A Former CBS President On What It Meant

We dive into the remarkable life and career of Gene Jankowski, the former president of CBS during its most iconic era, as he details his rise from small-market radio to leading a network that delivered Dallas, MASH, 60 Minutes, and some of television’s biggest cultural moments.

WATCH HERE

Canisius University Praise

From the halls of Canisius to the boardrooms of CBS, alumnus Gene Jankowski '55, HON '03 shares his remarkable journey in his new book, "Behind the Eye: My Life in the Media."

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

  • Gene in the Navy.

  • Gene became president of CBS Broadcast Group in 1977.

  • Gene at Arthur Godfrey's farm in Virginia.

  • Gene with Ronald Reagan.

  • CBS 50th Anniversary Special.

  • Gene with Morgan Freeman.

  • 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.