Dean search nears its end

After search committee meetings, a review of applications from across the country and interviews with finalists, the search for a dean of the journalism school is coming to a close.

Officials are in the midst of negotiations with Gerald Baldasty regarding his taking over the deanship of UNC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Steve Allred, executive associate provost, confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

Baldasty now holds the post of professor and chairman of the Department of Communication at the University of Washington.

He received his doctorate in communications from the University of Washington in 1978 and has a background in journalism and communication history.

“We haven’t reached an agreement, but he is coming back next week for more discussions,” Allred said.

Baldasty declined to comment Wednesday.

Officials said they are glad to see the search process — which began last September — come to a close.

Richard Cole will step down as dean of the school on June 30, after serving in the post for 26 years.

Although it will not be an easy task, building on Cole’s legacy might be possible for Baldasty, said Chuck Stone, Walter Spearman professor in the journalism school.

Stone said throughout the search process that he hoped a woman would be named the school’s next dean. But he now is satisfied with the likely leadership of the program.

“It’s time to move forward,” Stone said. “(Baldasty) really is a strong candidate with a good reputation.”

Baldasty would be a good fit for the school, said Ruth Walden, associate dean for graduate studies and professor in the journalism school.

She said Baldasty interacted well with students, faculty and staff during his campus visit.

Walden, who has been at UNC for 20 years, recently was announced to be a finalist in a dean search at Arizona State University.

If chosen, she will become the first dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“If I remain at UNC, I will look forward to working with (Baldasty),” Walden said.

Baldasty competed against four other finalists for the post in Chapel Hill.

Joel Brinkley, a UNC alumnus, also was a contender for the deanship. He won a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in 1980 and has worked for The New York Times since 1983.

Frank Denton served as editor of the Tampa Tribune for 11 months and as editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.

Terry Hynes, dean of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, withdrew her candidacy in January.

Allison Alexander and Jeremy Cohen were added to the pool of finalists in the wake of Hynes’ withdrawal.

Alexander is head of the Telecommunications Department at the University of Georgia. Cohen is the associate vice provost for undergraduate education at Pennsylvania State University.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.