Prowitt, David

Broadcasting executive.

Executive producer, WNET, 1964-1974.

From the description of David S. Prowitt papers, 1971-1989 and undated (bulk 1971-1981) (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 38868065

David Sherburne Prowitt was born on May 29, 1934. He attended the University of Chicago (1951-1952), the Sorbonne (1953-1954), Roosevelt University (1953-1954), the University of Wisconsin (1961), and Brooklyn College (1962-1964).

Mr. Prowitt began his career in 1952 as a reporter, assistant picture editor, and rewrite man for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 1956, he moved to American Airlines where he served as Public Relations Manager and Regional Public Relations Representative. As Public Relations Manager, Mr. Prowitt ran a campaign to promoting American Airline's use of the Boeing 707 for national service.

Mr. Prowitt moved to ABC News in 1960. From 1960 to 1964, he was a news writer, first for ABC Radio, and then for ABC-TV. Later in his tenure at ABC news, Prowitt became a producer, working on live and taped film coverage.

In 1964, David Prowitt was hired as an Executive Producer at WNET. Mr. Prowitt developed NET's first science series, "SPECTRUM," serving as producer, writer and correspondent. In 1971, Mr. Prowitt moved to Washington, D.C. where he became a news correspondent and eventually WNET-TV Program Division Washington Bureau Chief. As a correspondent in Vietnam filming for the NET series "The Borders of War," Mr. Prowitt became the first public broadcasting reporter to broadcast from a combat zone. Prowitt's other endeavors at WNET included developing "This Week with Bill Moyers," and "Bill Moyers Journal." He managed the Science Program Group at WNET producing shows such as "The Killers," and "The Thin Edge."

From 1973 through 1983, David Prowitt served as CEO and Chairman of the Board at Science Program Group, Inc. Prowitt participated in all levels of science programming production, from writing and correspondence work to project director on grants and contracts. Programs he produced during this time include, "The Weather Machine," "Is Anybody Out There?" and the Emmy Award Winning (1976) "In Performance at Wolf Trap I and II." David Prowitt left The Science Program Group in 1983 to found David Prowitt Productions Inc. This company produced science programming for general and specific audiences.

Since 1986, Prowitt has worked for Public Interest Communications (PIC), Inc. and Medi+Cation, Inc. carrying on fund raising activities with clients such as NOW, The Cousteau Society, and the Nature Conservancy. He is President and Executive Producer at Medi+Cation, producing health-related audio-visual material for hospitals, doctors, and their patients.

Mr. Prowitt is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association, American Science Film Association, and the American Trauma Society. He was a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the National Geographic Society. He has served as consultant to the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, the National Cancer Institute, the Veterans Administration, and the Public Broadcasting Service.

During his career, Mr. Prowitt has published articles in several magazines. He authored the 12th Annual Report of the National Science Board (1980-1981), Television and Bi-Centennial - AAAS Study (1975), and a novel entitled, "We Found a Lost World" (1957). He lives in Falls Church, Virginia.

From the guide to the David S. Prowitt Papers, 1971-1989 and undated, 1971-1981, (Mass Media and Culture)