A Note of Thanks to Our Small-Town Publisher

A Note of Thanks to Our Small-Town Publisher

At the recent Rye Youth Council Spring Benefit Luncheon, this paper’s publisher and longtime editor, Robin Jovanovich, was honored for her many years of service to our community. As Robin is far too humble to write anything about herself, I would like to take this opportunity to repeat some of the words said about her that day.

Robin has worked at The Rye Record for the last 20 years, most recently as its publisher: covering our local news and highlighting the good work of many. For the past three years she has served as the president of the Alfred Harcourt Foundation, which provides need-based scholarships to college students. 
 
A talented and witty writer, Robin began her career with Time Inc. and went on to become a senior editor at various publications. While living in California and serving as a board member of Francis Parker School in San Diego, she sat in on every English class to help students with their writing and made finding and supporting scholarships for deserving students her mission.

Much of her life has evolved around these two passions: the written and spoken word, and the desire to support and mentor underprivileged students. Throughout her career and her many years of volunteering, she has always sought out roles that would allow her to do both and has done so with great creativity and determination. Here in Rye, she has served on a number of boards, including at Rye Presbyterian Church, the Rye Arts Center, and the Rye Free Reading Room, where she raised funds through the annual book sale, and delivered children’s books to New York City shelters. She has also served on the Board of Architectural Review and on Rye’s Beautification Committee. And just last year, she received an honorary doctorate from the College of Staten Island in recognition of her support of students who go on to become math and science teachers in New York public schools. 

On top of all that, she handles her relentless and challenging day job with passion, energy, toughness, unwavering commitment, and great skill. And yes, some thick skin as well to be sure. If you are from Rye, you read The Rye Record – it is a small-town newspaper in the best possible sense, and our community would not be the same without it.

One of her friends described Robin to me as “one of the most generous, intelligent people out there, and devoted to Rye. She loves Rye in a way few people can imagine.” I agree with the former and have no trouble believing the latter. Our community has been shaped by that love in ways great and small, some obvious, some rather behind the scenes. Her work has made Rye a better place for all of us, and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you, Robin Jovanovich!

— Kristin Jautz and the Rye Youth Council Board of Directors