FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Monday, March 14, 2005
Contact:
Dave Wellman, Director of
Communications, (304) 696-7153
Dr. Corley Dennison new dean of Marshall School of Journalism
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dr. Corley Dennison, interim dean of Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications for the past year, has been named permanent dean of the School, Interim President Michael J. Farrell said today.
A search committee selected Dennison for the position, which he has held on an interim basis since the death of former dean Hal Shaver a year ago.
“Corley Dennison is an outstanding educator who has dedicated his professional career to Marshall University,” Farrell said. “I am very pleased to remove the interim tag and recognize our new dean. I am confident that he will continue the excellence in journalism and mass communications that has been the hallmark of this academic discipline.”
Provost Sarah Denman, too, said she is elated with the choice of Dennison as the School’s dean.
“We’re very happy that out of the search process Dr. Dennison rose to the top as the best choice of the search committee and all groups that participated in the interview process,” Denman said. “I am confident that he can lead the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications to the next level of excellence. I look forward to working with him in the future.”
Dennison, a native of Sutton, W.Va., has been at Marshall since 1985, teaching a full range of graduate and undergraduate journalism and mass communications courses during that time. He was assistant dean to Shaver from 2003 until Shaver’s death on March 1, 2004.
“I really appreciate the support from faculty, students and the entire campus during this process,” Dennison said. “I’ve been working in the interim role for a year, and I’m looking forward to starting some new ideas and projects for the school.”
Dennison described his year as interim dean as “really good, productive and busy.” During that time, the School of Journalism had its five-year review, introduced a fundraising effort known as J-Walk, and began the process of moving The Parthenon headquarters from Smith Hall to the Communications Building.
Dennison received his B.A. in Mass Communications in 1976 from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., and his master’s degree in English with emphasis in Speech Communications in 1984 from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.
In 1992, Dennison earned his Ed.D from West Virginia University in Educational Administration, with a minor in Journalism.
After graduating from James Madison, he spent nine years in both commercial and public broadcasting. He assisted in putting four radio stations on the air, including NPR affiliate WMRA-FM in Harrisonburg, Va., and WKYY-AM in Amherst, Va.
From 1980 to 1985, Dennison served as operations director of the Broadcast Services Center at Northwest Missouri State University which included KXCV-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate, KDLX-FM and KNWT-TV-cable channel 8.
His production credits include the NBC Radio network, National Public Radio and multiple syndicated programs in numerous midwestern markets, including St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha, Neb.
Dennison has held membership in numerous national professional and educational organizations including the Broadcast Education Association, The National Broadcasting Society and The Popular Culture Association. Since 1997, he has been a member of the editorial review board of The Journal of Radio Studies.
Dennison served as president of the Marshall University Faculty Senate from 1997 to 1999. He was named the assistant dean of University College in 1999 and served in that position until 2003.
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