Professor Tracy Dahlby Appointed Director of J-School

Dear Colleagues:

I write to report that I have recommended to the Provost that Professor Tracy Dahlby be appointed Director of the School of Journalism for the 2008-9 and 2009-10 academic years.  The Provost has approved my request and Tracy has accepted the offer.

I am delighted with this outcome.  To my way of thinking, this two-year appointment is well suited to the School's current needs.  With the School's 6-year accreditation review drawing near and with important decisions to be made about programming space in the new Belo Center, continuity becomes an extremely desirable commodity.  In addition, the School will need to do some hiring in the next two years, so it will be good to have stability in the Director's position at that time.  Finally, this appointment gives us time to think about the School's long-term leadership needs and preserves all of our options for meeting those needs.

In short, Tracy Dahlby is the right person at the right time.  His intelligence, integrity, energy, and humanity are attractive at any time but especially at this time of transition.  Tracy has a world-wide vision, is a caring and effective teacher, and a person who understands both the scholarly and professional sides of Journalism education.  These traits will allow him to build upon the advances made under Lorraine Branham's leadership and will also help the School lay out new trajectories.

Tracy has my full support and he will, I predict, bring engaged and enlightened leadership to the School of Journalism.  Please join me in congratulating Tracy on this appointment.

Roderick P. Hart