Cliff Harrington, executive editor of The Herald in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has announced his retirement after more that four decades.
Here’s an excerpt from what he has to say:
Forty-six years is a long time to do anything. In some ways, I guess I’d qualify as a unicorn. I walked off the UNC (Tar Heel born, Tar Heel bred) campus in 1977. I walked into a newsroom and never left. I’ve done just about every job you can do in a newsroom.
I’ve been through the great times and tumult. But I always said I would know when it’s time to walk away. Now’s my time. I’m retiring from my position as executive editor of The Herald. I’ve had enough stress, enough long hours, enough exacting demands. But I’ve also had great fun, laughter, success and made a host of friends. And I’ve lived a huge portion of a really good life in newsrooms.
I came to Rock Hill eight years ago on what I thought was a temporary assignment. Now, I consider this place one of my many homes. I grew up in Rockingham, N.C., and I’ve lived in Columbus, Ga., Greenville, S.C., and Charlotte. Each place owns a section in my heart.
One thing I hope I accomplished is that you all were left with the feeling that I cared. I cared about the people. I cared about the work. I cared about the words we published.
I’m a person who tries to live out my Christian faith. My sometimes salty language may have thrown you off a bit. But I believe in the practice of the Golden Rule. I believe words give surface impressions, but actions give real-life impact. And I hope my impact was to make each of you know how much I cared. That’s my farewell message.
