Dahlby named director of The University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism

AUSTIN, Texas — April 14, 2008 — Tracy Dahlby, the Frank A. Bennack, Jr. Chair in Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin, has been appointed director of the School of Journalism for a two-year term.

The school’s current director, Lorraine Branham, was named dean of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, effective July 1.

“Tracy’s appointment comes at a critical juncture in the School of Journalism’s history,” said Roderick P. Hart, dean of the College of Communication. “With the school’s six-year accreditation review drawing near and important decisions to be made about programming space in the Belo Center for New Media, it is essential to have stability in the director’s position during that time.

“He has a world-wide vision and understands both the scholarly and professional sides of journalism education. These traits will enable him to build upon the advances made under Lorraine Branham’s leadership and will help the school lay out new trajectories.”

Dahlby joined the School of Journalism faculty in 2006 after three decades as a journalist specializing in international affairs, including 13 years living in Asia where he was Tokyo bureau chief for Newsweek and The Washington Post. In 1987, he became managing editor of Newsweek International in New York, where he directed and coordinated worldwide news coverage.

A former contributor to National Geographic with stories about political, social and economic developments in Asia, his most recent book is “Allah’s Torch: A Report from Behind the Scenes in Asia’s War on Terror.”

Dahlby earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Washington in Seattle and his master’s degree in East Asian studies from Harvard University. Dahlby’s bio is available online: http://journalism.utexas.edu/facstaff/PROD75_007711.html

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Contact:
Erin Geisler
512-475-8071