The Emerald hired a publisher Wednesday to oversee the business side of its operation.
The new publisher will be Kellee Weinhold, who has graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University and has taught journalism at both the University of Oregon and the University of Illinois. Weinhold has worked for The Oregonian and Eugene Weekly, and spent four years as owner and publisher of View Magazine.
Weinhold’s selection comes more than three months after the Emerald’s student editorial staff went on strike to protest the job description for the publisher’s position. In the aftermath of the strike, the job description was changed to reflect newsroom concerns.
Emerald editor-in-chief Allie Grasgreen, who helped organize the strike, came out in support of the new hire.
“I’m psyched to start working with Kellee,” Grasgreen said. “Her passion for college journalism is infectious, and she has the drive, ideas and understanding of media we need.”
More than 80 people applied for the position, but Emerald Board of Directors chair Jeanne Long said Weinhold was chosen because of her experience in student journalism and in running her own publication.
“Kellee Weinhold brings to the Emerald an entrepreneurial spirit that is matched by her passion for independent student journalism,” Long said. “Her expertise as a journalism professor, as publisher of several start-ups, and as owner of other small businesses makes her especially well prepared to successfully lead the Emerald during this time of unprecedented change in the news industry.”
Weinhold said she was excited to start working for the Emerald.
“I am excited to be joining such a storied program at a time of critical change for journalism,” said Weinhold. “I look forward to supporting UO student journalists as they shape the future of the industry.”