Retired Gannett CEO, USA Today founder speaks at RIT

Al Neuharth to address diversity issue

Al Neuharth, former chairman and CEO of Gannett Co., Inc. and founder of USA Today, returns to Rochester for an RIT Presidential Colloquium on diversity. Neuharth will address the importance of diversity in today’s world by explaining the critical role it plays in newsrooms and classrooms during his keynote speech titled "Coloring Newsrooms and Classrooms."

The colloquium begins at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20 in RIT’s Ingle Auditorium. RIT President Albert J. Simone will moderate the colloquium. "The quality and preservation of economic, social and civic life for all Americans depends on the access to and quality of higher education for all Americans," says President Simone. "It also depends on newsrooms that understand the critical importance of a society which is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to everyone."

Neuharth led Gannett to many award-winning diversity initiatives that began more than 2 decades ago. Under his leadership, newsrooms began adding more women and minorities to change the face of not only newsrooms, but also the way news was gathered and presented.

Neuharth continues to write columns for Gannett newspapers. He is also former chairman of the International Freedom Forum, a foundation that promotes free press, free speech and free spirit around the world.