University Times

Two offices in Public Affairs are merging July 1 to form the Department of News, Information and National Media Relations, Pitt announced this week.

John Harvith will head the new department, which replaces the Office of National Media Relations and the Office of News and Information. Harvith, assistant vice chancellor for national media relations, came to Pitt March 1. He will continue to report to Robert Hill, executive director of public affairs.

The department will be responsible for local, regional and national news story development and placement and media relations. It will maintain Pitt's news web site and produce the Pitt Campaign Chronicle. Harvith will serve as associate publisher of the newspaper.

As part of the reorganization, Ron Cichowicz, assistant director of news and information, will serve as associate director of the new department. Dwight A. Chambers, graphic designer for the Pitt Campaign Chronicle, has been named senior graphic designer of the Chronicle.

"This reorganization in our news functions represents a more appropriate organizational structure at this critical stage in the Public Affairs office," Hill said. "The new staff assignments ensure that the best leadership and talent will propel Pitt's institutional communications and reputational management program into the new millennium with distinction."