PHOENIX (AP) — NBC newsman Brian Williams received the first Walter Cronkite Award for his work in journalism Wednesday since the veteran anchorman's death this summer.

Williams was given the honor from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at a luncheon in Phoenix.

In 2004, Williams succeeded Tom Brokaw as anchor of "NBC Nightly News." In 2007, he became the first network anchor — active or retired — to host "Saturday Night Live."

This year marks the first award ceremony since Cronkite's passing. The longtime CBS news anchor died in July after a long illness.

Each year, the Cronkite School recognizes a notable media figure for excellence in journalism. Past recipients include Brokaw, Katharine Graham and Ted Turner.