Message from the Dean

A MESSAGE From the Dean(s)

Every story has a beginning, and every story has an ending. But, it’s the middle part that counts.

DAVID SMITH

When I came to WVU in 1993 as an assistant professor, I could have never imagined the path my career and life would take. I could never have imagined that I would be a member of the faculty of the (then) School of Journalism for more than a quarter of a century. I could never have imagined that I would serve as its dean for 15 of those years. And in my wildest imagination, I could never have imagined being tapped to serve as WVU’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

But indeed that is the path my life has taken, and I owe it all to WVU and the College of Media – to my talented colleagues on the faculty and staff, to our hard-working and creative students, to our dedicated alumni and friends, and to kind and generous mentors like former deans Chris Martin and Guy Stewart, as well as Professor Paul Atkins, who so often showed me the way.

We can all be proud of the success the College has achieved over the past several decades. We’ve grown our enrollment, revenues and reputation. We’ve updated our curriculum to adapt to the changing media landscape, while retaining our focus on the fundamentals of writing, research, reporting and ethics. We’ve modernized our facilities and learning labs and we’ve created new undergraduate and graduate programs that respond to the changing needs of our professions.

As my story in the College comes to a close, another story is beginning. After serving as my associate dean for the past seven-plus years, Dr. Diana Martinelli became the new dean on July 1. As sad as I am to leave the College, I am comforted to know it will rest in Diana’s capable hands. She is a skillful and beloved administrator who will undoubtably take the College to new heights of achievement and excellence.

I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my new role as WVU’s chief academic officer, but I will always be grateful to the College of Media for giving me my start. Here, I learned how to be a teacher, leader and steward of the College’s programs and people. Here, I learned that despite the many challenges we face, the future is ours to write.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve! I am ever grateful for the encouragement, support and friendship you have shown me these past 26 years.

On the Cover Students in the Adventure Travel Writing and Photography class relax around a campfire during their Spring Break trip to the New River Gorge where they had the opportunity to work with world-class athletes to create multimedia pieces that promote adventure sports, brands and state tourism. Photo compilation by Rylee McNemar and Matthrew Shreve.

Maryanne Reed, Dean

Just as Dean Reed could not have imagined her career trajectory at WVU, I could not have envisioned serving as dean of my alma mater—certainly not when I was a student, a two-time graduate or even when I joined the faculty and accepted the Widmeyer Professorship in Public Relations in 2005.

I am ever grateful to Professor Emeritus Ivan Pinnell (aka “Doc P”), who first approached me when I was a doctoral student, planting the seed for me to one day “come home” to WVU, and to Scott Widmeyer and his parents—Doug and the late, lovely Ruth Ann—whose named professorship helped lure me from another university early in my academic career. In the years since, I’ve experienced much joy and satisfaction as a teacher and mentor of young professionals and future academics, as a strategic communications researcher and as an administrator working alongside Dean Reed and our college’s incredibly talented and dedicated faculty and staff.

As you know, our school lost two giants earlier this year: Professor Paul Atkins and Dr. Guy Stewart, the latter of whom served as dean for 20 years, including during the time I earned my B.S.J. so many years ago. But the wondrous thing about academics is that their legacies live on through the launching of so many successful careers and lives who continue to “pay it forward” in a multitude of ways— people like Doc P, Scott Widmeyer and so many others who support our students, our college and our professions, which remain vital to our democracy and to spurring social good.

As I settle into the dean’s office in Martin Hall, I am humbled by the opportunity to succeed those who have come before me, and I am grateful to all of the administrators, faculty, staff and students who have left their mark on our hearts and our school over the years. It is a true blessing and honor to be associated with you all, and I am excited to see what we will continue to accomplish together.

M.G. ELLIS

Diana Martinelli, Dean