CLU Selects Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Ritch K. Eich, Ph.D., began his service as CLU's Vice President for Marketing and Communications on July 21. In his new role, Eich will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic communications and marketing program designed to enhance the University's image regionally and nationally. Among his responsibilities will be overseeing the offices and staff of University Relations, Public Information, Publications, Special Events and Sports Information. He will also oversee the CLU Web site and the University's award–winning NPR station, KCLU–FM.

"Ritch brings to the University not only strong experience in branding, communications and public affairs but also an important strategic mindset," said President Luther Luedtke. "We are looking forward to his playing a major role in institutional planning and the creation of a strong, clear 'brand' for CLU."

Most recently, Eich served as Chief of Communications & Public Affairs at Stanford University Medical Center. During 2002–2003 the public affairs department at Stanford won more than 10 awards for excellence in media relations, bioterrorism preparedness, writing, publications and visual design presented by The Association of American Medical Colleges and The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Eich was instrumental in developing Stanford's "first–of–its–kind" medical science journalism fellowship program for newspaper, radio and television reporters and editors. To date, the program has attracted significant interest from numerous national news organizations including the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.

With a background in both corporate and higher education public affairs, Eich has served as head of public relations for Blue Shield of California and has held executive positions at Indiana University Medical Center and University of Michigan. He began his career in higher education as an admissions dean at Pomona College in Claremont.

Eich holds a doctorate in organizational behavior and communications from University of Michigan. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the University of California, Merced and on the editorial board of the publication Strategic Healthcare Marketing. He is a Public Affairs Captain in the Naval Reserve and has been an active member in Rotary, the Ronald McDonald House and Chambers of Commerce.