Letter from the Dean

Right from the start, journalism has had an outsized impact at the University of Mississippi. In its very first year, 79 students signed up to take journalism courses, immediately making the new department one of the largest on campus. Now, as we approach our 75th year at the university, we are a school with a strong journalism foundation complemented by one of the largest and most innovative majors on campus – Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC).

This edition of The Review celebrates two important anniversaries.

First, it’s hard to believe, but it has been 10 years since we launched our groundbreaking IMC program. In that time, we’ve grown to be the biggest integrated marketing communications program in the country. That didn’t happen by accident. The dedication of our faculty and staff and the enthusiasm of our students and graduates has been at the heart of our success.

The journalism program is embarking on its 75th year with new energy. With a revised curriculum, we’re now attracting more students than we have in years. When journalism first arrived on campus, classes had a primary focus on reporting and editing – something that has not changed. What has changed is the toolkit we give our students to tell stories. We have implemented smartphones, drones, computers, and digital cameras into our classrooms.

By doing this, we have continued in our goal of creating principled and dedicated practitioners. Through these pages, you may encounter old friends or new people you’d like to meet. This year we’re also celebrating a first -- our first student-produced alumni magazine, featuring 75 profiles selected and created by our students. Even so, we know they could have written 7500 profiles because every one of you is an important part of our history and our future. Seventy-five years ago, journalism was founded at the University of Mississippi to expand opportunities for students.

That is still our mission – to lead and excel in the education of a diverse body of students in journalism and integrated marketing communications. It has never been more relevant, nor more necessary to prepare journalists and IMC practitioners whose work is grounded in truth, freedom of expression, responsibility and integrity.

Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished and all that we will do together in the future.

Dr. Debora Wenger Interim Dean/Professor