Robert Hill Named Communicator of the Year by Pittsburgh Black Media Federation; Office of Public Affairs Wins 5 PBMF Awards

Members of Pitt’s Office of Public Affairs and Pitt History professor Laurence Glasco (far right) gathered for the 2010 Pittsburgh Black Media Federation annual Robert L. Vann Awards. From left, front row: Robert Hill, vice chancellor for public affairs; Jane-Ellen Robinet, Pitt Chronicle editor; Linda Schmitmeyer, senior director of news; Patricia Lomando White, senior news representative; Cara Hayden, senior editor, Pitt Magazine; and Glasco. From left, back row: Sharon Blake, senior news representative; Ervin Dyer, PBMF president and senior editor, Pitt Magazine; Anthony Moore, acting executive assistant to the vice chancellor; and John Harvith, senior associate vice chancellor, University News and Magazines.

Robert Hill, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, was selected as Communicator of the Year by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation (PBMF). The award, announced during the PBMF’s annual Robert L. Vann Awards reception on June 10, is given to an individual or organization whose positive actions help disseminate messages of empowerment, community hope, and strength.

In its letter notifying Hill of his award, the PBMF wrote that “the federation has long observed and admired your role as Pitt’s chief spokesperson, your founding of the Blue, Gold and Black program, your continued recognition of African Americans connected to the University of Pittsburgh, your support of deserving and in-need Black students at Pitt, and the guidance and support you provide numerous community organizations, including poetry societies and social service nonprofits.”

Also, Pitt’s Office of Public Affairs won two first-place and two second-place awards, as well as one third-place award during the annual reception held in the William Pitt Union Ballroom.

In the Website Commentary category, Hill and Pitt history professor Laurence Glasco won first place for their commentary titled “Sex Exploitation and Slavery.” The piece was published on a University Library System-produced Web site that takes viewers through a virtual tour of the award winning Pitt-produced exhibition Free at Last? Slavery in Pittsburgh in the 18th and 19th Centuries, which was on display during the 2008-09 academic year at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

In the Magazine Features category, Pitt Magazine Senior Editor Ervin Dyer won first place for his article titled “August Wilson’s Class Act.”

Robert Hill

In the category of Newspaper Opinion/Editorials, Robert Hill’s opinion piece titled “Pounding on the Doors of Opportunity” won second place. It was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

In the Print Feature Photography category, Tom Altany’s photography for “Abundant Life” in Pitt Magazine received second place.

In the Newspaper Series category, the The Pitt Chronicle’s 2009 Black History Month profiles were awarded third place. They were written by Sharon S. Blake, Amanda Leff Ritchie, Anthony M. Moore, and Patricia Lomando White.

The PBMF awards celebrate outstanding achievements in journalism related to the coverage of the African American community of Western Pennsylvania.