News Release

Louis Boccardi, former president and chief executive of the Associated Press, has cancelled his appearance next week at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Dr. Richard Cole, school dean, said Boccardi, hired this week to review CBS News’ report on President George W. Bush’s National Guard service, planned to reschedule his visit after his duties with CBS were complete.

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Note: This brief refers to UNC news release No. 445, issued Wednesday (Sept. 24), on the Web at http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/sept04/kyser092204.html

Contact: John Kuka, 966-3323

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CHAPEL HILL — Lou Boccardi, former president and CEO of the Associated Press, and Anne Garrels, author and National Public Radio correspondent, will visit the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sept. 27-29.

As Kay Kyser Distinguished Visiting Professionals in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the two will visit classes, share insights and discuss current issues and problems with students and faculty.

The Kyser program is named in memory of the distinguished UNC alumnus who was a star of radio, television and movies in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Kyser’s wife, Georgia, pledged a significant gift to endow the program, which brings prominent media professionals to the school.

"We’re lucky to have both of these influential visitors," said Dr. Richard Cole, school dean. "Having them relate their unique experiences will be a splendid learning opportunity for students and faculty members."

Boccardi, who retired from the AP last year, is credited with modernizing its services and boosting the company’s bottom line. He helped shepherd the AP into the digital age, overseeing a transition to electronic handling of all files, including photos. The organization’s budgeted revenues rose from $200 million in 1985 to more than $500 million in 2002.

Boccardi has taken a leading role in the news industry on critical First Amendment issues and challenges involving readership and media credibility. A member and former chairman of the Pulitzer Prize board, he graduated from the Columbia University School of Journalism and Fordham College.

Garrels wrote "Naked in Baghdad: The Iraq War as Seen by NPR’s Anne Garrels." As one of NPR’s roving foreign correspondents, she was one of 16 U.S. journalists who witnessed the initial invasion of Iraq from Baghdad.

Garrels has reported from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East. She also regularly spends time in the independent states that made up the Soviet Union.

Before joining NPR, Garrels was a State Department correspondent for NBC News. Previously she worked in various positions at ABC News. She is a graduate of Harvard University.

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Note: Boccardi and Garrels will be available to the media during their stay. To schedule interviews, contact John Kuka, assistant dean for communications in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, at 966-3323 or jkuka@email.unc.edu.

News Services contacts: Print, L.J. Toler, 919-962-8589; broadcast, Karen Moon, 919-962-9585