A pioneer in broadcasting and television, Russell Myerson ('76) credits his degree from the School of Mass Communication (SMC) with helping him prosper in the field of television. He is currently the Executive Vice President of the CW Television Network, a joint venture between CBS and Warner Bros.

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Myerson chose Loyola because of his interest in its well-established communications curriculum.

“The [professors] were approachable, the class sizes were far better than a state university," he recalls, "and the opportunities to go do things on a one-to-one basis were greater than those at larger schools.”

Myerson’s dedication combined with Loyola’s integrated communication program, allowed him as a student to learn and to collaborate with professionals in the industry. In addition, he credits the importance of the life-long friendships he forged with his SMC professors like mentor Frances Stein as critical to his rise.

“We were given the fundamentals and opportunities to go take chances, to get involved in the community, to pull that barrier and take the university and that department to places that have never been taken before,” he says. 

Following graduation, Myerson would work in a variety of positions that ultimately saw him launch three network platforms, work with top professionals in the television industry, and serve as general manager of CW PLUS, overseeing the largest simultaneous launch ever of digital television multicast channels.

He has come a long way. Yet the threads of his successes can be traced back to the SMC.

“I can’t tell you how personally grateful I am and how such an important part of my life can be traced back to my Loyola education,” he says.