politics

Former Pennsylvania governors Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge. Rendell's head is toward Ridge, and Ridge is smiling
Former Pennsylvania governors Tom Ridge and Ed Rendell have differed ideologically over the years, but also are like-minded on other matters, including the value of civility and compromise in politics today. The two spoke at the University of Pittsburgh’s 2019 American Experience Distinguished Lecture Series, where another former Pennsylvania governor, Dick Thornburgh, was presented with the Elsie Hilliard Hillman Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Service.
Laskas in a red shirt at a microphone
With support from Pitt’s Department of English and the Center for Creativity, Jeanne Marie Laskas sifted through hundreds of citizens’ letters to President Obama, resulting in an acclaimed magazine story and full-length book.