Tufts PR Director leaves for Univ. of Nevada, Reno

A farewell reception yesterday marked the end of Director of Public Relations Cynthia Pollard's six-year tenure at Tufts, a term in which Tufts' national media coverage increased dramatically.

Yesterday in the Coolidge Room of Ballou Hall approximately 60 students and staff members, including President Larry Bacow, gathered to celebrate Pollard's accomplishments.

Pollard has been instrumental in more than doubling the media coverage of Tufts in the past six years. Media outlets that have covered Tufts-related news under Pollard include The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe and The London Times.

By the end of her tenure, "[Pollard] has brought Tufts way ahead in terms of national recognition and prestige," Director of Alumni Relations Tim Brooks said. "What she has succeeded in doing is invaluable. You can't buy what she has brought to our community."

Dean of Students Bruce Reitman praised Pollard on her ability to highlight Tufts' best qualities in the eyes of the media. "There are often times when the activities of students could play well or not so well in the national media," Reitman said. "[Pollard] was so helpful in finding the positive in any situation for Tufts and its students."

After working at Tufts since 1998, Pollard is leaving the school to secure the position of Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the University of Nevada.

Pollard cited "a wonderful career opportunity" as her reason for moving to her new position which will begin in March.

She said that her decision to leave was a difficult one. "It's very hard for me to leave Tufts, because the students and faculty here are so fabulous," she said. Pollard noted that her Public Relations staff at Tufts "was probably the best team of my career."

Pollard holds nothing but positive sentiments towards Tufts. "This has probably been one of the most interesting and satisfying jobs I've ever had," she said.

As Director of Public Relations, Pollard sought to "put Tufts on the map, in terms of national recognition," she said.

She attributed Tufts' national recognition largely to the students. "There were always great stories to tell about Tufts. All we did was open the lines of communication," Pollard said.

One way in which Pollard succeeded in opening those lines of communication was her innovation, a daily "E-News" web site and electronic newsletter. Today it reaches over 50,000 worldwide subscribers.

"Six years ago, the issue was that Tufts did not have enough visibility. Now Tufts is on the national map through major media outlets. The visibility Tufts has gained is well deserved," Pollard said.