REMEMBERING PETER ROUSSEL

The Bearkat community of Sam Houston State University is mourning the loss of Peter Roussel, who served as distinguished Philip G. Warner Chair of Journalism in the department of Mass Communication.

Well known for his remarkable career in both the corporate and political fields, Roussel’s first tour of duty in the White House was from 1974-76, as staff assistant to President Gerald R. Ford. From 1981-87, he served in the White House under President Ronald Reagan as special assistant and deputy press secretary. Prior to that, he was press secretary to President George H.W. Bush when Bush served as U.S. congressman and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Roussel’s career as an advertising and public relations expert also led to becoming executive vice president and managing partner of Neumann Roussel Public

Relations from 1996 to 2003.

Roussel joined the faculty of Sam Houston State University in the fall of 2009, where his impressive background enhanced his years of dedicated teaching. Through his classes in writing for public relations, advertising and the press and the presidency, students gained real-world insight and enjoyed many stories from Roussel’s White House years.

“Peter was an immensely popular instructor. His students praised his vitality, skills and strengths as a communicator in the classroom,” said Ronald E. Shields, dean of SHSU College of Arts & Media. “His classes made history come alive through his anecdotes and insider knowledge.”

Nationally and internationally, Roussel will be remembered for his four decades in politics and, especially, his time at the White House, but for many

Bearkats, he will be remembered as a great colleague and professor, according to Mike Yawn, SHSU faculty member and director of the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics (LEAP).

“There’s no doubt that Peter’s profile in the industry, his technical skills, and his professional network helped enhance SHSU’s profile. But he didn’t rest on his reputation: he spent much effort motivating students in the classroom; he was the go-to moderator for high-profile speakers on campus; and he used his expansive professional network to help students, colleagues, and SHSU,” Yawn said. “At least for me personally, his legacy at Sam was the impact he had on students and colleagues. He demonstrated exemplary dedication to the students and the institution in a way that serves as a professional model for all of us.”

In 2016, Roussel’s seriocomic novel,

“Ruffled Flourishes,” debuted as a play at SHSU through his collaboration with theatre and music faculty, staff and students. The satirical story offers a comical glimpse into Roussel’s experiences with the press corps in the White House. A musical adaptation was staged in 2022. Recognizing his distinctive professional accomplishments, personal integrity and service, Roussel was honored with a Legacy Award by the SHSU College of Arts & Media in 2019.H