Emmy Award-Winning News Anchor, Member of the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame, Top Fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Inducting Institution: Christian Brothers University

Joe Birch embodies the Lasallian mission of Christian Brothers University—to respect the dignity of all persons and to respond to their needs through programs of service, advocacy, and social justice—in his selfless devotion to helping others. CBU calls upon its students to “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.” Birch has made this call to service a personal passion.

Birch is an Emmy Award-winning news anchor for WMC Action News 5 in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his career there as an intern while a student at Christian Brothers in 1978. He accepted a full-time job offer on the day he graduated CBU and became the station’s news anchor in 1983. Birch marked his 40th year of service to WMC and the viewers of West Tennessee in 2018.