4 Finalists remain in J-school search

Amid doubts and concerns from some faculty members, the committee charged with finding a new dean for the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication has made strides by narrowing its search.

Thus far, three finalists have been named, and the identity of the fourth has yet to be made public.

One candidate, Terry Hynes, dean of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, arrived Thursday to continue the interview process.

Another finalist is Gerald Baldasty, professor and chairman of the Department of Communication at the University of Washington.

The third finalist, Frank Denton, resigned from his post as the editor and vice president of the Tampa Tribune on Dec. 18 after serving in the position for 11 months. Before coming to the Tribune, he worked for 17 years as editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.

Tom James, dean of the School of Education and chairman of the search committee, said the finalists were selected because of the strong visions they have for the future of the journalism school.

“We have a pool of people that we consider very strong,” he said.

But some longtime faculty members and chaired professors in the journalism school said they are not pleased with the finalists to replace Richard Cole, who has served as dean of the journalism school for 26 years.

Chuck Stone, Walter Spearman professor in the journalism school, said that while he thinks the candidates are good choices, they are not the absolute best people for the job.

“Richard Cole has been a great dean, and to get someone to follow in his footsteps is difficult,” he said. “But there are better people out there than these finalists.”

But Hynes said that although Cole led wonderfully for many years, new leadership will only make a great program better.

Philip Meyer, a professor in the journalism school, also expressed his disapproval. He said he had hoped for a candidate with work experience in the news industry as well as in academia.

Others in the school said they had not met the candidates and could not comment.

Both Meyer and Stone said a woman would be a good fit for the job. “A majority of our students in the journalism school are women,” Stone said. “A woman dean would be a better representation of the student body.”

Only one of the three named candidates —Hynes — is a woman.

James said the University community will have the opportunity to express its multiple viewpoints throughout the selection process.

“Those voices which do not agree should be heard in our decision,” he said.

Hynes and Baldasty both said that working for the school would be an honor.

The school ranks among the top journalism schools in the country.

The 2003 accreditation report stated that the school “is recognized by academics and media professionals as perhaps the best program in the nation.”

“It is an exciting program with wonderful ties to the industry,” Baldasty said.

Cole will resign the post in June. He has agreed to a one-year extension on his contract to oversee several fund-raising projects for the school and hire new faculty members.

Cole also has mentioned plans to travel. He said he has been invited to visit universities in Mexico City and China.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.