Journalism dean search hits snag

Following a seven-month long national search, University officials have named the man who will replace Richard Cole as dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication — just not permanently.

In the wake of the revelation that negotiations with finalist Gerald Baldasty would not reach fruition, Provost Robert Shelton named Tom Bowers, senior associate dean of the school, as Cole’s interim successor.

Bowers will take office on July 1 and serve in the role for the 2005-06 academic year, but he too will retire from the faculty next summer.

“(Cole’s) footsteps are very, very big and there’s no way I could fill those footsteps,” he said. “I see this as a transition.”

Administrators entered negotiations with Baldasty, chairman of the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, in late March, but Shelton said UNC was unable to match a lucrative counteroffer from UW.

And although he expressed disappointment in not landing the top choice, Shelton wasted little time in securing Bowers, a 34-year veteran of the school.

“I think the school is in good hands,” Shelton said, noting Bowers had strong support from the school’s faculty.

Another search committee already has been formed and will consist of eight members of the previous committee and four new members.

Bernadette Gray-Little, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as chairwoman of the committee but is on vacation, meaning the group won't begin meeting until June.

Chris Roush, director of the Carolina Business News Initiative, is one of the eight members to participate in both searches.

He said the committee assumed that the school's reputation as one of the nation’s elite would attract a wealth of candidates — something he said the new group should not repeat.

“I think we are going to be a little bit more aggressive in trying to recruit people,” he said. “I know I will.”

But the new search committee has more than just learning from past experiences going in its favor.

Chancellor James Moeser said he has no qualms about restarting the process because UNC has garnered stronger applicant pools the second time around in almost all of its previous searches.

He also said the interim between the end of Cole’s 26-year tenure could be attractive to candidates who may have been weary of following him.

“I believe there were some really strong candidates in the country who didn’t get into this pool who saw Richard Cole — this sort of towering figure,” Moeser said.

“I think that a bit of space from the end of his tenure and the next dean will make it easier for someone else to walk in to Carroll Hall.”

Others expressed disappointment that Baldasty isn’t making the cross-county move.

Chuck Stone, Walter Spearman professor, was one of several senior faculty members that met with Baldasty when he visited campus and was impressed with him.

“We had a terrific guy lined up,” he said. “He would have been perfect.”

Stone was a vocal critic of the search and has gone on the record stating that he’d like to see a woman become the next dean.

He reasserted that point and also voiced his support for Bowers.

All involved parties stressed that it’s important to remain diligent and not rush the decision.

Roush said Bowers’ impending retirement doesn’t put any added pressure on the committee, and another interim dean could be appointed in a year if needed.

Officials said that they won’t make a hire simply to move someone into the office.

“You always want to reach closure, but you want to make sure you have someone who is really good,” Shelton said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.