Rachel Ambrose ’64, Distinguished Alumna
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates who have epitomized The Woods tradition of excellence by their professional achievement, personal accomplishment or humanitarian service to their community, state or nation. This year’s recipient, Rachel Eberle Ambrose ’64, is no exception. For her leadership in maintaining a level of career excellence over her lifetime and for her commitment to her alma mater, SMWC will name Ambrose as the 2012 Distinguished Alumni at its commencement on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
Ambrose retired three years ago after 45 years as a journalist with The Associated Press, one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering. Her career began first in Indianapolis, Ind., with the last 42 years in Los Angeles, Calif., where she served as broadcast supervisor for California and Nevada.
“Our distinguished alumnae have achieved a level of excellence in their professions, have contributed to knowledge in their disciplines, and have been guided by the principles of a Woods education. Rachel has demonstrated exceptional and sustained leadership in her career and in her community. We’re proud that she was selected as this year’s recipient.”
-Dottie King, Ph.D., president of SMWC
A native of Floyds Knobs, Ind., Ambrose graduated from Clarksville Providence High School. She graduated from The Woods with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. While at SMWC, she served as co-director of the College News Bureau her junior year and editor of the school newspaper her senior year. She attributes the College for helping hone her love of writing into a marketable skill.
At the Associated Press in Indianapolis, she worked as Indiana broadcast editor. In Los Angeles, she garnered national and international AP awards for spirit, achievement and breaking news coverage. Several of her stories earned national media coverage including her reports on the O.J. Simpson trial and the San Francisco earthquake.
Upon her retirement, Ambrose was honored with achievement awards from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA), of which she was executive director for 35 years, and Radio-TV News Association of Southern California for which she served on the board of directors for 20 years. APTRA also named its Internet breaking news awards for Ambrose. Dedicated to her craft, she mentors in the APTRA Academy boot camp program she helped found in Malibu, Calif., in 2000. She also volunteers on the marketing committee of the Science Center in Los Angeles.
Ambrose has served as president of the Southern California chapter of the SMWC Alumni Association and the Torrance (Calif.) branch of the American Association of University Women.
She lives in the Los Angeles area (Palos Verdes Estates) with her husband of 39 years, George, also a retired journalist. Their son, Josiah Ambrose, M.D., lives in San Mateo, Ca., with his wife, Mary Alice, and their son, Ezra.