Professor of Public Relations & Advertising
Bob O'Gara joined the University teaching ranks part time in 1983 and became a full-time professor in 1993. He teaches public relations, advertising, career preparation and marketing communications. His teaching style blends extensive real-world experience with the best of contemporary theory spiced generously with informal professional insights and humor. Top communications professionals from some of the largest and best communication organizations regularly provide interaction with Point Park University students.
Bob graduated from Utica College (N.Y.) with a B.S. in public relations and held various advertising positions for both the Utica Observer Dispatch and the Syracuse Post Standard. He received an M.A. in liberal studies from Duquesne University.
Prior to teaching, O'Gara was in corporate public relations and advertising for Pittsburgh Corning Corp. and Koppers Company Inc., where he served as manager of the Communications Services Department and director of public relations. He then joined PNC Financial Corp. as head of its corporate and public affairs department. O'Gara has managed his own communications consulting practice covering employee, financial and marketing communications for a variety of industrial, commercial and nonprofit clients.
An accredited member and past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, O'Gara is involved with its professional development and educational activities. He is also a member of the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, the Media Association of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Press Club. He is a member of the PRSA College of Fellows, the society's most prestigious honors group. At Point Park, he advises the Public Relations Student Society of America and American Advertising Federation Chapters.
Other activities include: board member and board secretary of Mainstay Life Services (residential services and support for people with developmental disabilities and their families) and community adviser to Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for their greenspace and community gardens program.
He lives in Mount Lebanon with his wife, Sally. They have two sons, Brian and Kevin.
At Point Park University, O'Gara serves as a committee member and adviser on marketing, communications and professional partnerships.
Contact
E-mail: rogara@pointpark.edu
Office Phone: 412-392-3413
Office: 1007 Thayer Hall