HARVARD AND THE FOURTH ESTATE

Almost ten years ago, in April, 1929, Mr. Frank J. Ryan was appointed the first full-time publicity director in Harvard's history. This was, in itself, a tremendous innovation. Formerly, the University's press relations were in a deplorable state; a reporter was looked upon as someone to be avoided whenever possible. This attitude had serious consequences for Harvard.

It was only a logical outgrowth of this attitude that the press retaliated by arousing prejudice against the University. However, this was not prompted by mercenary motives but was rather the result of misunderstanding. Harvard shunned publicity like a temperamental movie queen, and found, in so doing, that it was inviting animosity. But with the appointment of Mr. Ryan, conditions steadily began to improve. He saw to it that the press was received well and given the necessary information. For the past few years, his work has been taken for granted; but then it involved a radical change in, policy, and later proved vitally significant. It meant that Harvard gained good-will among the public because of its being presented in its true colors, and meant also that the student body would now gain valuable men which it previously lost because of unfavorable reports.

Thus, Mr. Ryan's achievements were clearly of much greater importance than merely informing the public of Harvard sports. Consequently, now that has an opportunity to view his accomplishments it becomes plain that--seen in the perspective of recent Harvard history--his services have been invaluable.