Robert TitBits

This is not a complete timeline of Robert’s accomplishments. It was pieced together from articles found in a personal file and information from his vita. Articles are in pdf format. They are large. Be patient, it’s worth the wait to read.

If you have anything to add, please share your comments at the end of this page.

1960s

1964 to 1966
Crypto-analyst, U.S. Army

1967 to 1970
Computer Operator
Rosso and Mastracco, Norfolk, Virginia

1967
ODC Pickets Fight Ban on Newsletter
by Donna Weatherly
Virginian-Pilot

1967
ODC Students To Try Eight Who Reprinted Obscene Poem by Richard C. Bayer
Virginian-Pilot

1968
Computer Dances To Artists’ Tunes by Shirley Bolanga
Virginian-Pilot

1970s

1970
Computer art is dead and gone at birth by Christof Harrison
ODU Mace & Crown

1970
The 20th Irene Leache Show

Virginian-Pilot

1970
Some Outstanding Paintings by FD Cossitt
Virginian-Pilot

1970
All art not created with palette, paint
by Beth Ploson
Ledger-Star

1970
ODU Art: A Colorful and Exciting Exhibit by FD Cossitt
Virginian-Pilot

1970
Student Show Top Grade by FD Cossitt
Virginian-Pilot

1972
Part-time Instructor
Tidewater Community College Frederick Campus, Portsmouth, Virginia

1975
New ODU gallery shows faculty art 
by Kay McGraw
Virginian-Pilot

1976
‘Atomic Art’ Gives Gallery an Explosive Exhibit by FD Cossitt
Virginian-Pilot

1971 to 1978
Art Director and Designer
Office of Printing and Publications, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Duties included the supervision of a staff of copywriters and artists, management, planning, design and production of university-related collateral work.

1978 to 1989
Principle and Creative Director of McCullough, Brewer, and Train
Involved in both the day to day and long range operation and management of advertising, design and public relations services for a number of retail and service sector clients, including: Armada Hoffler Enterprises, 1984-85 • Channel Furniture, 1978-89 • Chesapeake Bank and Trust, 1984-85 • City of Norfolk, Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1979-83 • Comptek Research, 1984-85 • General Electric Marine Services, 1983-84 • Hampton General Hospital, 1980-88 • Holiday Inn Executive Center, 1983-84 • Imagination Software, 1984 • National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, 1980-89 • Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation, 1984-87 • Sentara Health System, 1978-88 [Leigh Memorial Hospital • Norfolk General Hospital • Optima Health Plan] • Tidewater Regional Transit Authority, 1980 • Virginia Symphony, 1979-80

1973 to 1978
Part-time Instructor
Art Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

1978
Master of Fine Arts, Advertising Design
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

1980s

1981
Poster fit for gallery wall by Bob Trotter
Virginian-Pilot

1982
New, energetic ideas in faculty exhibit by Teresa Annas
Virginian-Pilot and Ledger-Star

1980 to Present
Associate Professor
Art Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Developed Graphic Design program for the Art Department
Designed, specified, and installed Macintosh Laboratory (42 computers, printers and other peripherals, network, printers, AV interface).
Assisted in the establishment of the Charles Sibley Scholarship Fund which provides annual awards in Art History and Studio Art.
Courses Taught Include : Painting, Graphic Design, Illustration, Airbrush, Typography, Advertising, Art Appreciation.

1983 (Summer)
Visual Information Specialist (GS-11)
NASA Langley Research Center
Research, Copywriting and Design

1984
Up The Academy: Two fine shows from the area’s university profs by Linda McGreevy
Virginian-Pilot/Portfolio

1985
S.P.L.A.T. – Erotic art with no air conditioning  by Linda McGreevy
Virginian-Pilot/Portfolio

1986-88
Co-chair Art Department
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

1987
‘See No Evil’ – ODU art exhibit, program explore 1st Amendment
by Patrick Peterson
Daily Press


Awards

1992
Honorable Mention, Measuring Up, Virginia Beach Center for the Arts Computer Print, National
Young At Art Award, Juried Exhibition, Peninisula Fine Arts Center, Computer Print, Regional
1988
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Radio, Local
1987
Runner-up, IRSA–American Health Magazine Advertising and Marketing Awards, Print Advertising, National
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads Illustration, Newport News Shipbuilding, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Poster, Old Dominion University, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Poster, Old Dominion University, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Graphic Design, Old Dominion University, Local
1986
Print Magazine Regional Design Annual, Poster/Flyer Design, Norfolk General Hospital, National
Certificate of Merit, Printing Industries of Virginia, Calendar, Newport News Shipbuilding, State
Certificate of Merit, Printing Industries of Virginia, Brochure, Newport News Shipbuilding, State
Gold Medal, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Television Commercial, Greenleaves, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Television Commercial, Greenleaves, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, In House Publications, Hampton General Hospital, Local
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Direct Mail, Cofer’s, Local
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Poster, Old Dominion University, Local
1985
Award of Distinction, Society for Technical Communications, Washington, D.C. Recruitment Publications, NASA, Regional
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Radio, Local
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Poster, Old Dominion University, Local
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Specialty Advertising
Award of Merit, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Retail Newspaper
1984
Gold Medal, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton  Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Specialty Advertising, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Print Material, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads and Tidewater Society of Communicating Arts, Specialty Advertising, Local
First Place, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Radio, State
First Place, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Special Publications, State
1983
First Place, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Audiovisual Programs, Regional
Certificate of Merit, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Specialty Publications, State
Special Achievement Award, NASA Langley Research Center, Organizational
1982
First Place,Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, External Publications, State
First Place,Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Special Projects Brochures, State
Second Place,Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Special Projects, Brochures, State
First Place, National Home Furnishings Association, Radio, National
First Place, National Home Furnishings Association, Multi-Media, National
Gold Medal, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Corporate Identity, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Corporate Identity, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Federation of Greater Hampton Roads, Magazines, Local
1981
Award of Excellence, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Annual Reports, State
Award of Excellence, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Magazines, State
Award of Merit, American Cancer Society (Virginia State Chapter), Public Education and Information, Print and Television, State
Award of Excellence, Advertising Club of Greater Hampton Roads, Direct Mail, Local
Award of Excellence, Advertising Club of Greater Hampton Roads, Specialty Advertising, Local
1980
Golden Quill Award, International Association of Business Communicators, Recruitment Publications, International
Award of Excellence, International Association of Business Communicators, Recruitment, Publications, State
Award of Merit, International Association of Business Communicators, Business Communicators, Magazines, State
Award of Excellence, Virginia Society for Hospital Public Relations, Magazines, State
Award of Merit, Tidewater Advertising Club, Full-Page B&W Newspaper, Local
Award of Merit, Tidewater Advertising Club, Less Than Full-Page B&W
Award of Merit, Tidewater Advertising Club, Newspaper
Award of Merit, Tidewater Advertising Club, Corporate Identity
1979
Sandoz Medical Journalism Award, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Magazines, Most Outstanding Medical Periodical Produced by a Hospital for the General Public, National
MacEachern Award, National Academy of Hospital Public Relations, Public Relations, National
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Public Relations Campaign, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Single Piece, Public Relations, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Direct Mail Campaign, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Letterheads and Logotypes, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Consumer Magazine, Advertising, Local
1977
Certificate of Excellence, Creativity ’77, Art Directions Magazine, Poster, National
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Junior Posters, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Catalogs and Brochures, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Public Service, Local
1976
Certificate of Distinction, Creativity ’76, Art Directions Magazine, Editorial Design, Magazines, National
Certificate of Distinction, Creativity ’76, Art Directions Magazine,Posters, National
Exceptional Achievement Award,  Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Publications Improvement, Periodicals, National Publications Citation, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Direct Mail, National
First Place, American Advertising Federation, Public Service Advertising, Regional
Best in Show, Tidewater Advertising Club, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, House Magazines, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Junior Posters, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Public Service, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Junior Posters, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Direct Mail, Local
1975
Certificate of Distinction, Creativity ’75, Art Directions Magazine, Promotional Pieces, National
Certificate of Distinction, Creativity ’75, Art Directions Magazine, Posters, National
Exceptional Achievement Award, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Periodicals, National
Merit Awards, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Posters, National
First Place, American Advertising Federation, Potpourri, Regional
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, Posters and Billboards, Local
Award of Excellence, Tidewater Advertising Club, House Magazines
1974
Alumni Magazine of Distinction, Newsweek Magazine, National
Time-Life Corporation, Alumni Publications, Regional Award
Certificates of Distinction, American Alumni Council, Design, National
1973
Design Award, American College Public Relations Association, National
1970
Painting Award, Irene Leache Memorial Exhibition, Chrysler Museum, State

2 Responses to “Robert TitBits”

  1. Elaine Dawson

    I worked with Robert at Rosso and Mastracco way back when — just after I first moved to Norfolk (1969-1970). I was a keypunch operator when he was the computer operator, and I remember his experimental art using the huge chain printer on greenbar paper! I thought he was a bit of a nut 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lisa Beckman

    Robert became one of the most valuable people of my life when he said these three things:
    (Upon noting that I had a small child while studying at ODU/Art) “I know you’re not going to be one of those who raise their kid in Cogans– are you?”
    and
    (While critiquing my work) “You’re good. This is alright. You don’t use ‘Girl Colors’. (I’m a girl, BTW)
    and
    (In another crit) “Nice.”
    I had a huge, intellectual crush on him after that first one…
    I think he’s one of our Angels.
    Thank you, Robert.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

%d bloggers like this: