The Ball State Journalism Department announced a new interim chairman on Tuesday following Jim Willis's mid-May resignation.
Dan Waechter, an assistant professor of journalism and adviser for students in the department, will be taking on the new role starting July 31.
Willis said he's headed back to southern California to take a job at Azusa University, where he was chairman of the Department of Communication Studies before coming to Ball State.
"There were some health reasons that led me to consider stepping out of the vortex of an intense job," Willis said after passing by the journalism office on Wednesday afternoon.
He wants to devote more time to teaching and writing — the two aspects of journalism he loves most.
Azusa is much smaller private college of about 4,500 undergraduate students.
After getting a book contract a year ago, he'll finally have time to start writing about the political history surrounding the Iron Curtain and World War II.
"I'm sorry to be leaving this place," he said.
Even though he'll be 3,000 miles away, Willis will stay connected as he teaches a graduate course online for Ball State next school year.
Willis said Waechter was his first choice for interim chair.
"He knows the job really well," Willis said. "It will be a seamless transition."
Waechter has contributed to the department by helping revise the curriculum for advertising and public relations majors and helping foster the relationship between the journalism and telecommunications departments.
He'll also help lead efforts toward launching the unified media initiative, which will bring Ball State student media groups together with one shared website.
With more on his plate, he's looking for support from faculty to help share his advising role. Waechter said the department hopes to name a new chairperson by July 1, 2012.
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