NEWS

Journalism alum slated to be spring graduation speaker

May 14, 2010 | General News

A 1983 Louisiana Tech journalism and graphic design graduate will be the spring commencement speaker at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 22 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
Rosemary Ellis, editor of Good Housekeeping magazine, will also be inducted into Tech’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
“Rosemary is one of our most outstanding alumni we have,” said Wiley Hilburn, former Tech journalism department head and professor emeritus.
Hilburn said the university is proud of her accomplishments in magazine and Web journalism.
“She was not only a good student but a nice person to be around,” Hilburn said. “On the college newspaper, she was like the captain of the team. She was very bright and creative. She was an excellent feature writer, and we are so proud of her.
Ellis was appointed editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping in 2006. She oversees the content for the magazine, which has a circulation of 25 million, the magazine’s highly-trafficked website and the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, responsible for the Good Housekeeping Seal.
She was one of four recipients in 2008 of Global Green USA’s Sustainable Design Award which recognizes individuals and organizations championing a clean environment. She was honored for overseeing all the magazine’s content including the development of Good Housekeeping’s annual green house project.
Also in 2008, Ellis received an industry honor when Good Housekeeping was a finalist in the American Society of Magazine Editors’ personal service category with “Passport for Cheaper Health Care.” In addition, Good Housekeeping received the American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Article Award in the service category.
Before joining Good Housekeeping, she was senior vice president and editorial director of Prevention magazine where she played an integral role in turning the magazine around. Under her leadership the magazine received the National Magazine Award nomination from the American Society of Magazine Editors for “General Excellence” in 2006. In 2005, the publication was recognized on Advertising Age’s “A-List.” She also directed the re-launch of the magazine’s website producing a 123 percent jump in traffic in 2005.
Prior to Prevention, Ellis served as consultant to Real Simple and the AOL Web Properties division, Web site director and executive editor of Expedia Travels, executive editor of Time Inc. Interactive and Time Inc. New Media. Early in her career, she held positions at Working Woman, Self and Travel & Leisure magazines.
Written by Dr. Reginald Owens