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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, May 3, 2012

IU School of Journalism Dean Brad Hamm named dean at Northwestern's Medill School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, IND. -- Brad Hamm, dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism, has been selected as the next dean of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. Hamm begins his new role Sept. 1.

Hamm has served as dean of the IU School of Journalism since 2005 and is only the fifth leader of the program in its 100-year history. His last day at IU will be June 30. An interim dean will be named in the near future.

"We are disappointed to lose a visionary educator and administrator of Brad's quality, but the highly ranked Medill School presents a wonderful opportunity and we are very happy for Brad personally," said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. "The Internet is dramatically changing the face of journalism and the media around the world, and Brad has worked hard to steer IU's School of Journalism through a time of unprecedented change.

"Under his leadership, the school broadened the scope of its mission, upgraded its curriculum and experienced a tremendous increase in alumni support, which has resulted in some of the largest gifts in the school's history. He will be greatly missed."

IU Bloomington Interim Provost Lauren Robel praised Hamm's vision and energy.

"Brad is an eloquent advocate for the power of a journalism education in the 21st century," Robel said. "He also has been tireless in his work to keep the IU School of Journalism at the forefront of journalism education and has led the effort to internationalize our program."

During Hamm's tenure, the School of Journalism created the Ernie Pyle Scholars honors program and developed a set of unique travel courses that send journalism students around the globe to study. Under Hamm, the school also created what has become a highly regarded annual lecture series that regularly brings national leaders in journalism and communications to the IU Bloomington campus.

Hamm also was the driving force behind the development of the National Sports Journalism Center on the campus of IUPUI, which was the first to offer a master's degree in sports journalism. The center is now the official partner of the Associated Press Sports Editors and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, the nation's two largest professional sports journalism organizations.

"I believe that we leave the School of Journalism in excellent shape with the new Journalism Experiences programs designed to change the lives of our students, great partnerships with state and national journalism organizations, the important financial growth and gifts in a challenging economic time, many new talented faculty and staff, and a clear record of national success over the past seven years," Hamm said. "Most of all, (wife) Hiromi and I are very appreciative of all of the wonderful IU alumni and friends across the nation and many colleagues in Bloomington and Indianapolis who have supported the school and greatly influenced our lives."

Over the past seven years, IU journalism students have consistently proven to be among the most talented in the nation, building on the school's legacy of success in this area. During Hamm's tenure, the school won national championships in writing in 2010 and 2011 in the Hearst Journalism Awards and an IU student won the individual title for the first time in school history in 2011. The only other Hearst national team championship for IU was in the 1960s.

"Brad helped Indiana re-assert its place among America's elite journalism programs," said Paul Tash, BA'76, chairman and CEO of the Times Publishing Co., which publishes Florida's largest newspaper, the Tampa Bay Times. "With a creative energy, he drew upon the traditions of Hoosier journalism, while keeping a keen eye on the rapid changes shaping the media world. Brad made a big difference at Ernie Pyle Hall, and beyond. I am very sorry to see him go. "

Hamm worked closely with IU journalism alumni to strengthen their ties to the program and to generate more support for the school. The school's two largest individual gifts for scholarships came during Hamm's tenure as dean: $1.75 million from Marty Anderson, BA'57, and a $1 million gift from the estate of Frank Arganbright, BA'49.

"Brad is a principled, visionary leader who recognizes the important role alumni play in distinguishing and supporting their alma mater," said J T. Forbes, executive director and CEO of the IU Alumni Association. "He'll lead the Medill School to great heights as its new dean."

The IU School of Journalism, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in the fall of 2011, comprises 35 full-time faculty members and serves approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students on IU campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis.

For more information, contact Mark Land, associate vice president of IU Communications, at 812-856-1172 or mdland@iu.edu; or Beth Moellers, director of communications at the IU School of Journalism, at 812-855-6317 or bamoelle@indiana.edu.

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