About Bud Harris
Forrest “Bud” Harris was born on April 24, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was a graduate of Allderdice High School and attended Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) from 1952 to 1953, where he studied chemistry.
Although not professionally trained in photography, Harris began what would be a life-long passion as a photographer for the Mount Lebanon News in April 1959. Harris then picked up photographic work for companies such as Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. (PPG), Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation (J&L Steel), and Koppers. He was one of six photojournalists hired by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to document the work of the Social Security Administration. Harris also wrote, directed and produced the Social Security Administration film, “Our Man in Your Hometown.”
Harris became a successful independent audio-visual producer, professional photographer, and film director gaining clients such as Alcoa, Gulf Oil, American Express, Magee-Women's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, and Business Week Magazine.
A personal passion of Harris' was cycling. He photographed the sport extensively, especially BMX and road racing, in which his son (Mat) was a professional rider. Harris co-founded Pittsburgh Pro Sports, served as president of the sports marketing company, Pittsburgh Velosports, and co-founded the Thrift Drug Classic. A city park cycling track was named in his honor on Washington Boulevard on June 30, 2010.
Harris won many awards for his photography including:
- Communications Arts Annual “Years Best Photography in Annual Report Category” for Magee-Women’s Hospital
- Three-time winner of the “Best of Show Award” at the Three Rivers Arts Festival
- A Golden Quill Award for “Best TV Spot Category” for St. Peters Child Development Center
Bud Harris passed away on June 15, 2009.
The Exhibit
These 27 photos are part of a exhibit that is available to view in Hillman Library's Ground Floor Main Hallway from now until the end of the 2015 Fall semester. You can also enjoy other examples of Bud Harris' amazing photography work in Hillman Library's Ground Floor Lobby Exhibit Cases during this time.