HU JOURNALISM SCHOOL WELCOMES COLUMNIST LEONARD PITTS

Hampton, VA - Syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr. has been named Scripps Howard Visiting Professional in the School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University during the spring semester of 2004.

"We’re thrilled to have one of journalism’s most important voices joining our faculty," said Chris Campbell, the school’s director. "He brings a wealth of talent and experience to the classroom."

Pitts’ Miami Herald newspaper column on pop culture, social issues and family life is syndicated in more than 150 daily newspapers. He won the top prize for commentary at the Scripps Howard Foundation’s National Journalism Awards in 2002. Pitts was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1992.

Campbell said Pitts will continue to write his column, which is published twice a week, while he teaches at Hampton. Pitts, who lives in Bowie, Md., will spend three days each week on campus, teaching one course in opinion writing and criticism and a second in trends in popular culture journalism.

"This is a remarkable opportunity for our students," said Campbell. "We think he’ll be an exceptional role model – the school is in the business of turning out the next generation of great journalists and communications professionals."

Pitts worked for 15 years as a music writer before joining the Miami Herald as its pop music critic in 1991. He began his column in 1994. In 1997, he published a book, "Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood."

Pitts’ column has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, among others.
He is a three-time recipient of the National Headliners Award. In 2001, he received the American Society of Newspaper Editors prestigious ASNE Award for Commentary Writing and was named Columnist of the Year by Editor and Publisher magazine. In 2002, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists awarded Pitts its inaugural Columnist of the Year award. Also in 2002, GLAAD Media awarded Pitts the Outstanding Newspaper Columnist award.