The Arizona State University Cronkite School announced it will give the 2014 Walter Cronkrite Award for Excellence in Journalism to Robin Roberts.

The Good Morning America co-host will receive the prestigious award during an October 6 luncheon to be held in Phoenix.

Roberts was nominated for the award because she has made outstanding contributions to journalism, and demonstrated great personal courage, says Conkrite School Dean Christopher Callahan.

Roberts battled and defeated a bout with breast cancer in 2007, and went on to fight myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disorder caused by the cancer treatment, in 2012. The journalist also recently announced she is in a long-term relationship with a woman.

She and her girlfriend of nine years, Amber Laign, typically stay out of the spotlight, but Roberts thanked her for helping her get through a bone marrow transplant, in a Facebook post. It was in this message that she revealed the relationship to the world.

Roberts found a perfect bone marrow match in her sister, Sally Ann. Her diagnosis and treatment inspired her to work to raise awareness for people, particularly African Americans, to volunteer as potential bone marrow donors. She is currently an Ambassador of Hope for Be the Match, a national marrow donor program.

Roberts says she is now happier and healthier than ever.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:

Speechless.."@Cronkite_ASU: The 2014 Cronkite Award recipient will be @RobinRoberts of @GMA. Award ceremony is 10/6. http://t.co/wpAjfg6ONd”

— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) June 4, 2014

CONGRATULATIONS @RobinRoberts for winning 2014 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism from @ArizonaState #welldeserved #abc15

— Stephanie Hockridge (@SHockridgeABC15) June 4, 2014

Wonderful choice @RobinRoberts to receive Cronkite Award inspiration. And toughness https://t.co/ssoHC01XgK

— Jody Jackson (@Jody_Jackson) June 4, 2014

Perfect choice! This year's @Cronkite_ASU Award for Excellence in Journalism will be presented to @RobinRoberts https://t.co/iwhLaTWA0I

— Keith Chandler (@keithchandler85) June 4, 2014

huge congrats to @RobinRoberts for getting this year's Cronkite Award! #godevils

— William Pitts (@william_pitts) June 4, 2014

Before joining the GMA team in 2005, Roberts worked for several radio and television stations, including ESPN. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University.

Congrats!

Image via Wikimedia Commons