Died Oct. 12, 2020, at age 88. 

Shanks graduated from IU in 1954 with a degree in radio and television. He was awarded The Media School’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. 

He spent two years in the U.S. Army, where he produced training films and a weekly TV show. He later served as a talent coordinator, writer, producer and executive.

He brought “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and other programs to the air. Shanks was a vice president at ABC in the 1970s. 

He also wrote several books, including “The Cool Fire: How to Make It in Television.”

Shanks is survived by two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.