Eleanor Schano

Indiana University of Pennsylvania will continue its tradition of IUP Cares programming with “Successful Aging: Preparing for Life's Transitions” on April 30, 2010, in the Hadley Union Building.

The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., and its final sessions will be from 1:40 to 2:55 p.m.

Longtime Pittsburgh broadcasting professional Eleanor Schano will give the keynote presentation, “Reinventing Yourself after Retirement,” for the luncheon at noon.

Marilyn Brooks, retired health reporter for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, was initially reported as the keynote presenter but could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.

All IUP Cares presentations and the keynote luncheon are free and open to the community, but reservations are requested by calling 724-357-4062.

The event is supported by elite sponsors Aramark and Indiana Regional Medical Center Spirit of Women; major sponsors Indiana First Financial and S&T Bank; and sponsors UPSTREET Financial Advisors—William B. Simmons III and Eagle Strategies LLC—Larry Catlos.

IUP Cares was initiated by Dr. Tony Atwater, IUP president, in 2007 to present programming on current issues. “Diabetes in the Media” was the focus in 2007, and childhood obesity in 2008. Last year's program was “Economic Crisis: Bracing for Change.”

Session Topics

Dr. Kimberely Husenits, associate professor in the Psychology Department, will present a program overview at 9:15 a.m.

From 10:40 a.m. to noon, four concurrent sessions will be offered:

  • “Staying Connected, Let Technology Change your Life”
  • “Changing Family Roles”
  • “End of Life Issues”
  • “Preparing for Long-Term Care”

The afternoon sessions will focus on the following:

  • “Lifelong Learning: Finding Your Retirement Passion”
  • “Living Longer Healthy: Physical Activity and Nutrition”
  • “Income Security: Hanging On Financially”

About Eleanor Schano

Schano, who has worked for more than five decades in broadcasting, is the author of Riding the (Air)Waves: The Life and Televised Times of Eleanor Schano.

She began her broadcast career in 1951 while an undergraduate at Duquesne University. Following her pioneering role as the first woman weathercaster at WDTV, now KDKA-TV, she wrote and produced the syndicated series Gateway to Glamour, telecast in 286 markets around the country. She performed a variety of duties at KDKA-TV, including a daily talk show.

By 1958, Schano had moved to WTAE-TV, where she served as the city's first female general assignment news reporter. In that role, she received three Golden Quill awards for outstanding news coverage.

From 1970–1974, she was the first solo prime-time anchorwoman in Pittsburgh history at WIIC-TV (now WPXI-TV) and hosted the weekly half-hour public affairs program Face to Face.

In 1974, she joined the KDKA radio morning team as the newscaster on the Jack Bogut Show, and held the post of general assignment reporter for the afternoon drive-time news program 90 to 6.

In 1975, Schano returned to KDKA television as a news anchor, consumer reporter, general assignment reporter, and public affairs host, positions she maintained until 1978.

From 1978–1982, Schano was both host and executive producer of WPGH-TV's Good Day, Pittsburgh, a daily program, and Pittsburgh Women '79, a weekly half-hour program focusing on local women achievers.

In 1982, Schano left Pittsburgh for a brief time to serve as solo anchor on the 6:00 p.m. newscast at WPEC-TV in Palm Beach, Fla. While there, she established and staffed a South Palm Beach County News Bureau and was named Outstanding Anchor in South Florida. She returned to Pittsburgh in 1982 to assume a post at KQV-News Radio.

From 1991 to 2007, she hosted LifeQuest, formerly AgeWise, which aired on WQEX-WQED. In 2008, she returned to WTAE-TV for a series of programs titled Live Well, Live Long with Eleanor Schano.

In addition to her award in Florida and five Golden Quills, Schano received a 1989 Matrix Award for outstanding investigative news coverage. She was the recipient of the President's Award from the American Women in Radio and Television and the City of Pittsburgh's Love Award for humanitarian service to the community.

She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pittsburgh Press Club in recognition of outstanding career achievement and contributions to Western Pennsylvania journalism.

Schano has served as a commissioner for the Greater Pittsburgh Commission for Women, and she holds seats on the board of directors for the Civic Light Opera and the Carnegie Science Center.

She formerly served on the boards of the Pittsburgh Radio and Television Club and the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Schano lives in Shadyside with her husband, John Feeney, Pittsburgh attorney and former Common Pleas judge. Their family includes six children and sixteen grandchildren.