Robert L. O'Rourke,
Vice President for Public Relations
Robert L. O’Rourke has more than 40 years’ experience in public relations and communications, having held positions at Boston University, the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison before joining Caltech in 1986 as director of public relations. He was named assistant vice president for public relations in 1988, and associate vice president in 1996. O’Rourke became vice president for public relations in September 2001, a new position at the Institute. From February 2002 to October 2002, he was also acting vice president for development and alumni relations.
With O’Rourke at its helm, the Office of Public Relations has received more than 30 awards for its programs and publications, an unprecedented achievement for the Institute and the department. He has also masterminded a variety of innovative programs and publications, including - The Loh-Down on Science, the 90-second twice-daily spot on the local NPR station, with funding from TIAA-CREF; now syndicated to more than 60 public and commercial radio stations.
- CURIOUS, a PBS documentary on selected Caltech scientists, which was produced by WNET in New York with funding from TIAA-CREF; aired by more than 70 PBS stations in January 2008 alone.
- Caltech’s first department for web publishing (electronic media publications), which oversees web publications and the Caltech home page and various subpages.
- Caltech Today, the Institute’s daily online source of campus news and events.
- DuBridge Distinguished Lecture Series, which has brought to campus such prominent speakers as Walter Cronkite, Warren Buffett, John Hume, Jack Valenti,; Judy Woodruff; and (in March 2008) financier Charlie Munger.
- “Airtalk: The Caltech Edition,” a monthly radio talk show on KPCC-FM featuring Caltech scientists and engineers.
- the Biology Forum, an annual event highlighting current research on such health issues as cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, mental illness, AIDS, gene therapy, stem cells, and autism.
O’Rourke has also been active in many local community and professional organizations, among them the Public Awareness Advisory Committee of the National Academy of Engineering, the Pasadena World Cup Strategic Planning Committee, and the Communications Institute. He is a member of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, the Public Relations Society of America, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. O’Rourke is a graduate of the University of Arizona, and, as of 1991, an honorary alumnus of Caltech.
The general public relations activities of this office include - operating the Caltech Visitors Center
- arranging private tours for special guests, and tours of the Seismology Laboratory; taking reservations for the architectural tours given by members of the Caltech Women's Club;
- organizing and coordinating special events, such as the DuBridge Distinguished Lecture Series and the annual Biology Forum;
- maintaining photograph files and responding to photo requests from Caltech departments and the public;
- maintaining extensive files on individual faculty members, including curriculum vitae, press releases, and photos;
- providing internal office support to the public relations staff.
Vice President for Public Relations
Robert L. O'Rourke
x6225 Photo Files and Requests, Faculty Files
Linda Bustos
x6326 Assistant to the Vice President for Public Relations
Susan Gray
x6328 Receptionist; Tour Coordinator
Susan Lee
x6327 Office Manager
Joan Sullivan
x6228 |
