Thomas E. Ward

Thomas E. Ward (BSJ49) was a member of the inaugural class of the Medill Hall of Achievement in 1997.

Ward served as company spokesman for U.S. Steel Corp. in New York, Washington, and Chicago before taking early retirement in 1982. He handled publicity for construction of Chicago's Picasso statue, the Willis (then Sears) Tower and the John Hancock Building. As company spokesperson, Ward produced news releases, photo layouts, year-end statements, radio and TV commercials, and ad copy.

Ward began his career as a reporter for the Associated Press in Chicago and was a part-time reporter for the Chicago Tribune while he was an undergraduate at Medill. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Medill in 1949, he graduated from the U.S. Steel Management School with an equivalent of a master’s degree in business administration. He came back to Northwestern to teach public relations and, in 1994, received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Northwestern’s University College, now called School of Professional Studies.

After retirement, Ward made more than 2,000 "business outlook" talks to Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs and college audiences throughout the United States. He ran for Congress in 1962.

Ward died in 2010.