Pat Ciarrocchi Leaving CBS3
After 33 years, Pat Ciarrocchi is saying goodbye to CBS3.
She’ll be leaving on October 15.
She joined the station in 1982 and served for years as the morning news anchor.
Ciarrocchi made the announcement on her Twitter page:
With Pope Francis "wheels up"…I decided I should be too – after 33+ years @CBSPhilly. Watch me at Noon thru 10/15. pic.twitter.com/ztn1JXjsln
— Pat Ciarrocchi (@PatCiarrocchi) October 7, 2015
She also wrote the following on her Facebook page:
On September 27th, just before 8PM, Pope Francis and Shepherd One were wheels up bound for the next chapter in his Papacy.
As I watched in that moment, I felt my wheels lift up too… bound for the next chapter in a career that has had me anchored here for more than 33 years.
During Francis 36 hours in Philadelphia, we achieved greatness. Together, we told the story of hope, forgiveness, and could hear a personal challenge to allow our best selves to come forth.
We laughed, we cried, and for me, it became a near miraculous culmination of a television career that was never built on the crime that is often our stock in trade… but a desire to find the redeeming, the inspirational, the humanity in what surrounds us.
I know you all have lots of questions. There isn’t a back story, just a decision.
I so want to do more with my life. And I need freedom to do that.
The Francis visit has empowered me with the strength to forge a path that is certain to use my voice. I believe it includes new business and community opportunities.
I have been shaped by my faith, my family, and my passion for telling a good story. Thank you for the privilege of doing that work here.
I will anchor the Noon until Thursday, October 15th. I will be around the 16th to wrap up details and then, David and I are headed to Italy for two weeks.
Remember… in all you do… no matter how mundane, trying to make slot while rebooting a computer, stretching three facts into ten minutes of live coverage or a cranky colleague – look up.
It is there that you will find the Light to lead you.
Ciarrocchi began her career in broadcasting in 1974 at WAMS Radio in Wilmington and later became a reporter for WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, Md. In 2014, she became the first female inducted into the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Her exit follows a series of shakeups at the station. Soon after Brien Kennedy became president and general manager, Chris May, Kathy Orr and Beasley Reece were let go this summer. Carol Erickson also left the station. She’d been there since 1978 and decided to pursue her passion of pet advocacy instead of signing on for another year.
Meanwhile on the business side, Susan Schiller resigned. She had been vice president and news director for the station and for CW Philly.
The station has also named morning anchor Ukee Washington to the news anchor slot at 5 p.m, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Meanwhile, Kate Bilo took over for Kathy Orr as chief meteorologist, and Katie Fehlinger took over Bilo’s old slot at noon. Orr quickly got a job at Fox 29.
The reactions to Ciarrocci leaving came quickly on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/risaferman/status/651823678087372801
Congrats to @PatCiarrocchi. Your talent, professionalism and spirit will be missed. Spread your wings and fly on! https://t.co/WOKlMZRKPI
— Susan Buehler (@SusanKBuehler) October 7, 2015
I told you @PatCiarrocchi wld leave @cbsphilly after the #PopeInPhilly event. Sad to see her go, I adore her. Best of love to her and David
— PhillyChitChat (@HughE_Dillon) October 7, 2015
Best of luck to @PatCiarrocchi who possesses a humanity that is rare in newsrooms. I wish you all that life has to offer, my friend.
— Chris May (@chrismay_501) October 7, 2015
I will never forget waking up in a hospital bed w/@PatCiarrocchi holding my hand praying for me. Cheers to an amazing career. @CBSPhilly
— Joshua Crompton (@PhillyNewsGuy) October 7, 2015
.@PatCiarrocchi = Legend
— Steve Lindsay (@SteveLindsayCBS) October 7, 2015
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