Pulitzer Prize board names Harris, Oppel as co-chairs

NEW YORK (AP) _ Two veteran news executives, Jay Harris and Richard Oppel, have been appointed co-chairs of the Pulitzer Prize board.

Harris, a former newspaper publisher, directs The Center for the Study of Journalism and Democracy at the University of Southern California. Oppel is the editor of The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman.

Both have served on the Pulitzer board since 2000. As the new co-chairs, they replace Joann Byrd, former editorial page editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Mike Pride, editor of the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire, Columbia University said Monday.

Harris has been a reporter, editor, educator and executive, including publisher of the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News.

Before he became editor of the American-Statesman, Oppel led newsrooms for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and The Associated Press. While at the Observer, the paper won multiple Pulitzer Prizes. Last month, Oppel announced he would retire from the American-Statesman effective June 1.

The Pulitzers, which honor excellence in journalism, literature, music and drama, are given by Columbia University on the recommendation of the 19-member board.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press