Eminent Pittsburgh News Editor Madelyn A. Ross Named Pitt Associate Vice Chancellor for National Media Relations

PITTSBURGH-Madelyn A. Ross-former longtime managing editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Pittsburgh Press who guided and edited three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects-will become associate vice chancellor for national media relations in the University of Pittsburgh Office of Public Affairs, the office's vice chancellor, Robert Hill, announced today. Her appointment is effective Aug. 1.

"Maddy Ross is one of the great women of American journalism," said Hill. "I know that her intellect, experience, and enthusiasm for Pitt will serve the University well as she leads our efforts in the national media arena."

As associate vice chancellor for national media relations, Ross will direct Pitt's national news program, with the aim of increasing the University's positive visibility in the major national media. Her responsibilities will include creating national media strategies that enhance Pitt's reputation and developing and placing stories that illustrate the University's excellence and commitment to research, education, and regional development.

"I'm honored to be associated with the University of Pittsburgh, not only because I have deep respect and admiration for the present leadership team that has transformed a good university into a great one, but because of the seminal role the University plays in the vitality of Western Pennsylvania, to which I am intellectually and emotionally committed," Ross said.

Ross was at The Pittsburgh Press, then the nation's 12th-largest newspaper, from 1970 through 1993; she was one of the first women managing editors in the United States, serving in that position at the Press from 1983 to 1993. She became the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's managing editor in 1993, after an eight-month strike resulted in the merger of the two newspapers. She led the integration of the 300-person staff from the former competitive papers, producing a revamped Post-Gazette and creating a new culture of cooperation and striving for achievement among employees.

Under Ross' direction the Post-Gazette was named best newspaper in the state for six years. Projects within her domain won every major national journalistic award, including three Pulitzer Prizes. She was the first woman to be named to the Post-Gazette Company board of directors.

Ross has received numerous honors, including being named one of the Top 50 Business Women in Pennsylvania and receiving Carlow University's Women of Spirit Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Outstanding Alumni Award, the National Catholic Education Distinguished Graduate Award, the YWCA Tribute to Women Award, and the Triangle Corner Celebration of Excellence Award.

Among Ross' current or past professional activities are Pulitzer Prize juror; The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania president; American Press Institute lecturer; editor-in-residence of Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana; board member of Alfred Friendly International Journalism Fellowships, Dapper Dan Charity, and Children's Hospital Free Care Fund; and member of Pitt's Institute of Politics Board of Fellows, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Leadership Pittsburgh planning committee, and the International Women's Forum. She also produced and hosted daily segments live from the Post-Gazette newsroom for KDKA-TV newscasts.

Ross earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Master of Arts degree in international affairs in the Nelson Rockefeller Center at the State University of New York, Albany. She also is an alumna of Pitt's graduate program in communication.

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7/18/05tmw