Don't just ask; listen, Rose says

Host addresses William Jewell achievement dinner

By MIKE SHERRY The Kansas City Star

One of the nation's most famous interviewers told a Kansas City audience Thursday night that <big><I><b>listening</big></i></b> is just as important as asking questions.

“There is hearing, and then there is really hearing,” Charlie Rose told the 540 persons gathered at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown for William Jewell College's 61st annual Achievement Day dinner. The celebration honored three alumni.

The host of a nightly Public Broadcasting Service program and a correspondent for “60 Minutes II,” Rose also told the audience another of his secrets: “I read everything I possibly can — and more.”

Going into an interview, he said, he doesn't always know what the first question will be. But, Rose said, “if you are prepared, you can be spontaneous.”

The man who has interviewed heads of state, business leaders, famous athletes and other celebrities said his favorite interview was with the late Susan Buffett, wife of famous Omaha investor Warren Buffett. He named Buffett himself as his favorite guest.

Rose also said that the late Marlon Brando used to only watch his shows that had to do with science. Then, Rose said, Brando would call him with a question. “What are you going to do with all this information?” Rose said Brando would ask. “What is the purpose of all this?”

He also said actress Anne Bancroft insisted on sitting in his chair when he interviewed her.

His wide-ranging, 40-minute talk touched on topics from his North Carolina upbringing to the war in Iraq.

In addition, he said that in his talks with U.S. policy-makers, the rise of China invariably comes up as one of the nation's biggest challenges.

Alumni honored at Achievement Day celebration:

• Arvil Van Adams, '65, a senior Africa adviser at the World Bank.

• Gregory E. Lund, '80, a medical marketer who works with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

• Rosa White Pace, '53, an attorney who has earned recognition for museum and historical work around her hometown of Borger, Texas.

To reach Mike Sherry, call

(816) 234-5905 or send e-mail to msherry@kcstar.com.