John M. Barry Named Baylor's Vice President for Marketing and Communications

by Lori Fogleman, director of media relations, (254) 710-6275

Baylor University President John M. Lilley announced today that, following a nationwide search, he has named John M. Barry, director of university communications at the University of Connecticut, as Baylor's vice president for marketing and communications.

Barry's appointment is effective on Sept. 11. He succeeds Paul H. Carr, who has served as interim vice president since May 1, and Larry D. Brumley, who served as interim vice president from November 2005 until he joined Mercer University as senior vice president and chief of staff to the president.

"I'm pleased that John has agreed to join Baylor in this strategic communications role," Lilley said. "He brings to Baylor more than 20 years of management, strategic communication, public affairs and marketing research experience at a nationally ranked, research university, and I am confident that he will strengthen Baylor's overall communications efforts across the university and throughout the nation."

"Baylor University has committed itself to a course that will see it making significant progress in the coming years," said Barry, who earned a bachelor's degree in communication sciences in 1982 and his master's degree in 1984, both from UConn. "I'm excited to be joining the university at this time and am confident of great things in the future for Baylor. I look forward to working with Dr. Lilley, university regents, alumni, faculty, staff and students, as well as the talented communications professionals at Baylor to advance the university's mission and vision."

As Baylor's chief communications strategist and member of the president's executive council, Barry will manage the office of public relations, which includes development publications, Baylor Magazine, BaylorVision video services, media relations, online communications, photography, public TV/radio stations, and university publications and creative services.

Barry has served as UConn's director of university communications since 2002, where he managed a staff of 27 full-time communications professionals and a budget of approximately $4 million. He supervised a diverse group of managers in creative services, marketing services, special projects, media communications, media relations, visitor and tour programs, fiscal operations and human resources. In addition, Barry provided strategic communications counsel to senior university leadership, including the president, provost, vice president of student affairs, vice provost for enrollment services, academic deans and the athletic director.

Before becoming director, Barry served as associate director of university communications from 1996-2002. He began his long association with UConn in 1984 as manager of user services development for The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, an internationally renowned, university-based research facility dedicated to the study of public opinion and public policy. From 1989-96, Barry served as The Roper Center's associate director, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations and was responsible for program administration and planning, strategic communications and resource development. In addition to many other duties, he served as the center's spokesperson, providing international, national and local media with commentary on public opinion on various political and social issues.

Barry is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Council of Presidents New England Land-Grant Universities.

At UConn, Barry served on several university committees, including the Capital Campaign Operations Planning Team, Enrollment Services Committee, Institutional Research Program Assessment Committee, School of Business board of advisers and strategic development committee, Student Retention and Graduation Task Force, and U.S.News & World Report Submission Committee.

Barry and his wife, Patty, have three sons: Stephen, a senior at UConn; Michael, a freshman at Baylor; and Kevin, a high school junior. Barry and his family are active members of the Worship Center in Hebron, Conn., where Barry has served as an elder for more than 10 years.