Baylor Names Search Committee to Fill Vacant

CHAIR OF DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
WACO, Texas - Baylor University today named a blue ribbon panel of distinguished leaders in the field of journalism who will form a search committee to fill the vacant Chair of the Baylor Department of Journalism. The panel will include Jack D. Loftis, Charles L. Overby, and Hal C. Wingo. Loftis presently serves as Executive Vice President and Editor of the Houston Chronicle and began his career in journalism as editor of Baylor campus newspaper. Overby presently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom Forum, headquartered in Arlington, Va. He has had a wide-ranging career in journalism, including work as a reporter, editor, and corporate vice-president for the Gannett Company. In his corporate positions, he served on the Gannett Management Committee and the USA Today Management Committee. Wingo served as the Assistant Managing Editor and International Editor of People Magazine, published by Time Warner, Inc. in New York City. He currently teaches in the journalism department at the University of Richmond. He was previously a senior editor at Life Magazine and began his career in journalism as editor of the Baylor campus newspaper.
The search committee will be charged with three tasks: to make recommendations regarding an interim Chair if necessary, to conduct a national search and make recommendations regarding a permanent Chair, and to provide input to the University regarding the future of journalism and how the Baylor Department of Journalism can continue as a leader in educating and training the journalists of the next century. President Sloan commented that he "was gratified that these eminent leaders in the field of journalism have agreed to make the significant commitment required to locate the best person possible to lead the Department of Journalism into the next century. The naming of this panel demonstrates the commitment of Baylor University to excellence in journalism and our desire to enhance the reputation of our Department of Journalism." The committee will seek to find a person with outstanding academic credentials, significant achievement as a journalist, and the ability to work effectively with the University administration to achieve the department's objectives. Sloan expects to complete formation of the search committee in the near future. The committee will include representation from the faculty as well as other leaders in the field of journalism. Dr. Wallace L. Daniel, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, will provide administrative oversight in the Department of Journalism pending action on recommendations by the search committee.
In another action by President Sloan, Dr. Donald D. Schmeltekopf, University Provost, was named to provide administrative oversight in the Graduate School of the University. A search committee will be formed to make recommendations regarding the replacement of Dr. Henry H. Walbesser, former Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Walbesser and Dr. Michael E. Bishop, former Chair of the Department of Journalism, will retain their positions as faculty members-Dr. Bishop in the Department of Journalism and Dr. Walbesser in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.