Journalism department
to select new chairperson

By  Marcy McDermott
The Metropolitan

After more than a year, the Journalism departmentâs search for a new chairperson will come to an end within the three weeks, according to Joan Foster, the dean of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

Interim Chairwoman Deb Hurley has held the position fo more than five years and will remain in the department as an associate professor. She is resigning the position for ãpersonal reasonsä but would not elaborate.

Hurley said the search committee has narrowed the pool of applicants to two candidates.

They are:  Diane L. Borden, an assistant professor in the Communications department at George Mason University since 1996 and Robert J. Lyster, an associate professor of sports journalism, public relations and distance learning at the U.S. Sports Academy since 1994.

Hurley said the interviewing process required each candidate to meet individually with the search committee, hold a general meeting with the faculty and participate in a ãmeet and greetä with students in the journalism department.

After the final interviews, which are in progress, Foster will recommend the candidate chosen by the committee to Cheryl Norton, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. Sheila Kaplan, Metroâs president, makes the final hiring decision.

The search committee includes Bob Burns, the editor of The Capitol Reporter and Jim Craig, the chair of Speech.

Two alumni of Metroâs journalism department are also on the committee:

Marilyn Starrett, who teaches journalism and public relations classes at Metro, and Laurence Washington, who teaches Metroâs introductory journalism class, Hurley said.

Although she Hurley is not on the committee, she said the committee is searching for an individual with good journalism skills and maintain a responsive rapport with students.

Because the two  candidates hold doctorates, Doug Bell, a part-time Metro professor, said it is possible that these candidates might set a more academic tone to the department rather than the present skills-oriented approach.

Foster said the department will not change with the advent of a new chairperson.

ãI have no intention of changing the role and mission of the department, but I intend to build on itâs strengths and develop a vision for the future,ä Foster said.