Former Pitt Administrator Robert Hill to Be Honored Oct. 9

PITTSBURGH—Former University of Pittsburgh Vice Chancellor Robert Hill—who brought his unique talents in public relations, marketing, and advertising to Pitt from 1999 through 2013—will be honored by the Pitt Alumni Association African American Alumni Council (AAAC) from 11 am to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in the University Club, 123 University Pl., Oakland.

Hill will be the honoree at the 2016 Sankofa Homecoming Annual Sunday Brunch titled “A Legacy of Service.” Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online at alumnionline.pitt.edu/HillTribute.

During Hill’s tenure at Pitt as vice chancellor of public affairs, he oversaw branding and communications support for Pitt’s record-breaking billion-dollar fundraising campaign; crafted a communications plan for the University’s 225th anniversary; and launched a Pitt advertising presence at Pittsburgh International Airport. His staff won national and international honors for their work.

Hill was just as well known for his community-outreach efforts, which began at Syracuse University, where he was vice president for public relations, and continued later at California University of Pennsylvania, where he served as vice president for university advancement and founded the institution’s first official newspaper, the California Journal.

At Pitt, however, Hill’s community work stood out. He created the popular K. Leroy Irvis Black History Month Program, which brought scores of people to campus every February; planned and executed a celebration that marked the 50th anniversary of Pitt’s role in the development of the Salk polio vaccine; and helped to develop the award-winning exhibition Free at Last? Slavery in Pittsburgh in the 18th and 19th Centuries at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Thanks to Hill’s expertise, local community institutions were strengthened, including Pitt’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a number of nonprofits that help Black youth. He also has mentored many students, employees, and colleagues.

Hill earned a certificate in management at Harvard University; a Master of Science degree in management from Manhattan College; and a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

About the African American Alumni Council
Established in the late 1980s, Pitt’s African American Alumni Council promotes the core values of excellence, relationships, learning, diversity, traditions, and advocacy through its ongoing engagement of African American alumni. The AAAC connects with more than 12,000 alumni worldwide through its signature events such as the annual Sankofa Homecoming Weekend, the Distinguished Alumni Awards Banquet, the Apple Seed Community Service Project with Pittsburgh Public Schools, Welcome Freshmen to Pitt send-off events, parent family dialogues, networking events, the AAAC Endowed Scholarship Fund, and other alumni programs that engage both Pitt alumni and current students.

###

9/14/16/klf/jm