Bradley J. Hamm, dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism, has been named dean of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.
NU Provost Daniel I. Linzer announced the appointment today. Hamm will join the faculty as dean-designate on July 1 and assume the deanship on Sept. 1.
Hamm, 47, has served as dean and professor of IU’s School of Journalism since 2005, where he has led the school’s undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. programs on both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.
“President Schapiro and I are very pleased to welcome Dean Hamm to Medill and Northwestern. He has helped transform the journalism school at Indiana, and he brings a track record of significant academic innovations and successes,” Linzer said in a statement.
Hamm created the nation’s first master’s degree program in sports journalism and a master’s in public relations on the Indianapolis campus.
He has also established several new programs, such as the Ernie Pyle Scholars program, in which selected students have the opportunity to participate in a study-abroad course, and a program at the Poynter Institute for students to interact with keynote speakers coming to campus. In addition, under his tenure, student enrollment, quality and diversity have increased significantly.
Another focus during his tenure at Indiana has been the development of international educational opportunities for students. The initiatives have tripled the percentage of journalism students studying abroad to 60 percent, the highest percentage among all of the schools at IU. In partnership with IU’s medical school, he created a cross-campus collaboration that allowed journalism students to cover the work of the medical students in Kenya.
“I am excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity to join Northwestern and lead Medill, which is recognized both nationally and internationally for its programs in journalism and integrated marketing communications,” Hamm said. “I look forward to working with faculty, students, alumni, supporters and other partners in keeping Medill at the forefront of its fields.”
Previously, Hamm served as associate dean of the School of Communications at Elon University in North Carolina. He was one of the founding faculty members of the School of Communications there, and, as associate dean, helped establish a strong undergraduate research focus.
Hamm holds a Ph.D. in mass communication research from the University of North Carolina and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. His research interests include media history, international communications and work on agenda-setting theory.
He began his career as a reporter and sportswriter for the Salisbury Post in Salisbury, N.C. Since that time he has been closely connected with media organizations, establishing institutional relationships with the Poynter Institute, USA Today, the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) and the Scripps-Howard Foundation.
“Dean Hamm brings experience and proven success in developing new programs, engaging students effectively and strongly supporting faculty teaching and research,” said Northwestern President Morton Schapiro. “We are confident he will continue the strong leadership that Medill has had in recent years.”
Hamm succeeds John Lavine, who has served as Medill’s dean since 2006, leading a transformation of the school that included revamping the undergraduate curriculum, the creation of a new undergraduate certificate program in integrated marketing communications and significantly extending the school’s global footprint.
“President Schapiro and I thank Dean Lavine for his excellent leadership during the past six years. We also very much appreciate the excellent work of the search committee, and particularly chair Jack Doppelt, during the search process,” Linzer said.
Hamm and his spouse, Hiromi Sumiyoshi, have a two-year-old son, Yoshiki. Hamm’s twin brother is the editorial director of Landmark Community Newspapers, handling news and legal issues for more than 60 newspapers and seven college sports publications.
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