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Journalism head named interim dean of College of Communications
Jeff
Unger, News Bureau
217-333-1085
8/20/2003
CHAMPAIGN,
Ill. — Ronald E. Yates, the head of the journalism department
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been named interim
dean of the College of Communications on the Urbana campus, effective
Thursday (Aug. 21), pending approval of the U. of I. Board of Trustees
at its Sept. 11 meeting.
Yates, who has been head of the journalism department since fall 1997,
succeeds Kim B. Rotzoll, who retires today as dean after serving since
fall 1992.
Under Yates’ leadership, a number of outstanding new faculty members
have been recruited, and the reputation of the journalism department
has grown significantly.
Before joining the faculty, Yates was, for 27 years, an award-winning
foreign and national correspondent for he Chicago Tribune. His work
resulted in four Pulitzer Prize nominations and numerous awards, including
the Peter Lisagor Award from the Society of Professional Journalists
and the Inter-American Press Association Award.
"His distinguished journalism career and his able leadership of
the department have earned him the respect of his colleagues in the
college and across campus, and the support of prominent journalism alumni
throughout the country," said Richard Herman, provost of the Urbana
campus. "I am most grateful to Ron for his willingness to serve
the college in this capacity, and I look forward to working with him
in the months ahead."
