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."