The McGraw-Hill Companies Congratulates Linda K. Lorimer, Recipient of the Sandra Day O'Connor Award

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The McGraw-Hill Companies congratulates Linda Koch Lorimer, a member of the Corporation's Board and its Presiding Director, who was honored today with the 2008 Sandra Day O'Connor Board Excellence Award.

The award recognizes women lawyers who have served with distinction as independent directors of public companies and advanced diversity in board positions. The tribute is presented by DirectWomen -- a program of the American Bar Association, ABA Section of Business Law, and Catalyst, Inc. -- and is named for retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who served as the first woman on the Supreme Court.

"Linda's unique insight, commitment to our shareholders' interests, and dedication to proactively supporting women attorneys makes her a most deserving recipient of this award," said Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "Linda is a true leader who has directly contributed to The McGraw-Hill Companies' success. We are proud to have her on our Board and congratulate her on this achievement."

Ms. Lorimer has served as a member of the Board of Directors of The McGraw-Hill Companies since 1994, and as Presiding Director since February 2004. She is also Chairman of the Corporation's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. McGraw noted that Ms. Lorimer is dedicated to mentoring women executives at the Corporation. "Linda's enthusiasm for supporting women, rooted in her past experience as a women's college president, is contagious -- and especially inspiring to our senior-level women executives," Mr. McGraw said.

Ms. Lorimer is the Vice President and Secretary of Yale University, a position she has held since 1994. From 1986-1993, Ms. Lorimer was President of Randolph-Macon Woman's College.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Release issued: February 22, 2008