Pitt administrator announces retirement

After 14 years on the job, Pitt Vice Chancellor of Communications Robert Hill will retire on May 31.

According to a press release from Pitt’s Office of Public Affairs, Hill supervised all communications related to University, including national media, marketing and university publications as well as its online presence.

Under Hill’s tenure, the Office of Public Affairs expanded, earning national and international recognition for its publications. In 2000, he founded the Pitt Chronicle, the University’s first official weekly publication. He has also published numerous other University materials, including the annual “Report of Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg,” the “Economic Impact Report,” the “Community Impact Report,” and “Blue Gold and Black.”

Hill also supervised a number of other University publications.

Hill’s accomplishments include creating the most successful fundraising campaign, growing from $500 million to over $2 billion; coining the University motto, “Truth and Virtue”; and working with Nordenberg to promote and support the Booster Booster program, which helped in the second immunization of measles, mumps and rubella for Pittsburgh Public School students.

Nordenberg and Hill partnered up in other projects. They established an annual Black History Month Program, and hosted the premieres of two documentaries.

“Vice Chancellor Hill has brought a unique set of talents to his work, and together we have shared many satisfying victories,” said Chancellor Mark Nordenberg.

Prior to arriving at Pitt, Hill worked for a number of years as vice president for university of advancement at California University of Pennsylvania. But much of the early portions of his career were spent at Syracuse University, where he served as vice president for pubilc relations from 1988 to 1998.

Hill is leaving with a bounty of awards, from the Pitt and the Pittsburgh community. These include awards from International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

“I am fortunate to have led the effort to tell the remarkable Pitt story to its multiple audiences through multiple media,” Hill said. “Now, I look forward to volunteering in support of worthy community causes.”