Laird Anderson, 78

Laird B. Anderson, a 22-year member of the NPC and professor emeritus of communication at American University, died Oct. 14, 2014, at the age of 78.

He retired in 1996 after a 23-year teaching career at AU where he was director of journalism programs. Anderson was a frequent contributor to area publications on economic, media and military affairs, including the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun. He was a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 1989 after earning a Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He was the co-author of two books on journalism.

Anderson started his journalism career at The Daily Times in Gainesville, Ga., and later worked for the Wall Street Journal, the Miami News and the Palm Beach Times. He also worked as a staff assistant to the late Rep. Philip Landrum of Georgia and participated in journalism programs in numerous countries for the U.S. Information Agency. He and his wife Florence, who survives him, lived in Rockville and Tallahassee.