David Laventhol

College of Liberal Arts, February 26, 2002

David Laventhol graduated from Yale with a degree in English Literature and earned a Masters degree in English from the University of Minnesota in 1956. He is currently the publisher and editorial director of the Columbia Journalism Review. Previously, he was president of Times Mirror, publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times, and consulting editor for Times Mirror. Under his leadership the newspaper grew rapidly. It won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Meritorious Public Service. He was also recognized for his leadership and innovation with the introduction of the Style section of the Washington Post that balanced profiles, humor, conversation and cultural coverage and set a trend. He is described as a visionary journalist whose innovations have become standard practices in journalism. He is also active in community and civic undertakings, currently serving as director of the National Parkinson's Foundation and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.