Roger Lavery of Northern Arizona University was officially named dean of Ball State's College of Communication, Information and Media Tuesday.
"I was elated," Lavery said. "I think this is the best communication-program-dean's job in the country because the college has a lot going for it -- remarkable faculty, a state-of-the-art facility (and) support of the university and legislators of the state of Indiana."
The former dean of North Arizona's School of Communication and advertising scholar plans to meet with Ball State students, student organization leaders, faculty and other university deans upon assuming the CCIM dean position on July 1.
TRANSITION
Lavery, the only dean at Ball State without a Ph.D., will also enter as a tenured professor of journalism. As CCIM dean, his annual salary will be $122,000, Heather Shupp, executive director of university communications, said.
Michael Holmes, interim dean of CCIM, looks forward to seeing how Lavery will advance the college. Holmes plans to serve as a research fellow in the Center for Media Design from July to December and will return as the chairperson of the Department of Communication Studies in 2006. This was his position before former CCIM dean Scott Olson accepted the position of vice president for academic affairs at Minnesota State University in 2003.
"I think this is a positive step for the college," Holmes said. "Mr. Lavery brings the kind of leadership the college will thrive under, and I expect it not only to continue to be one of the best communications colleges in the country but further enhance what we are able to provide our students."
Sophomore Beth Campus, telecommunications major, looks forward to Lavery's push for convergence and working with students.
"I hope this guy is more involved with the atmosphere and interacts with student media programs," Campus said. "Since he does have a great background, that would be great for all students and what we're trying to accomplish here."
DEAN'S GOALS
Lavery's goals for the college include improving the diversity of faculty, staff and students, as well as further integrating ethics into the college's curricula. He will strive for convergence among the four units -- the departments of telecommunications, journalism, communication studies and the Center for Information and Communication Sciences -- to continue building on the college's national and international reputation, he said.
Lavery said he is looking forward to next year's completion of the $21 million Communication Media Building, which will adjoin Robert P. Bell and Ball Communication buildings bringing all CCIM departments under one roof.
During his tenure as dean at Northern Arizona from 2000 to 2004, Lavery directed the school's newly renovated $15 million facility, launched its first graduate program and created a converged newsroom for its three student media.
"I think it's exciting where you're out on the front, out on the edge, creating new knowledge and hopefully having partnerships in the industry as well," Lavery said. "I want our students to be marketable."
He hopes developing the partnerships in the communications industry will allow for more guest speakers, donations of equipment or money and increased internship opportunities for students, he said.
Lavery is interested in fund-raising and looking into ways to address the loss of award-winning NewsLink Indiana, which will end this spring as money from the Lilly Endowment's $20 million iCommunications grant runs out.
"I'm very interested in it," he said. "It will definitely have my attention."
BACKGROUND
Lavery's strong leadership skills and dedication will make him successful at Ball State, said Tom Knights, interim director of Northern Arizona's School of Communication. Knights served as a professor of visual communications at Ball State between 1972 and 1979 and was the associate dean of Northern Arizona's School of Communication since 1996.
"Ball State University is very fortunate to have Roger Lavery as dean," Knights said. "I can't say enough good about him. He is extremely fair-minded and balanced in his administrative approach ... He's accomplished amazing things."
Provost Beverley Pitts selected Lavery for the dean position because of his strong professional and academic experience in communications and advertising, she said. Pitts is glad the second dean search went well, she said.
"It's always difficult after a failed search, and I would want to mention the outstanding job Dean Michael Holmes has done during his two years in the college," Pitts said. "A successful search means everyone can look forward to new leadership and new opportunities."
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