Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication Tim Gleason will step down from his position in June 2013, he announced in an email to SOJC faculty Thursday morning.
Gleason, who has served as dean for more than 16 years, said that he plans to take a year-long sabbatical upon stepping down. He said that he has yet to determine what his role will be at the University in 2014 but cited his reason for stepping down as wanting “to find other ways to contribute.”
Gleason said he will continue to devote time and effort to several ongoing SOJC projects during his final year and a half in the position. Among them, he said he hopes to oversee the completion of the Allen Hall construction project and the launch of a new journalism master’s program in the Center for Journalism Innovation at the Turnbull Center in Portland.@@http://journalism.uoregon.edu/about/jobs@@
“Together we have accomplished a great deal and made tremendous progress,” Gleason said. “The future of the SOJC and the UO is bright. I look forward to being part of that future.”
The journalism school faculty had mixed reactions to the announcement. Associate Professor John Russial@@http://uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/John%2ARussial@@ started working with Gleason 21 years ago when they were both professors.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise. He’s been hinting at it for years,” Russial said. “That’s a lot longer than the time most people spend as dean.”
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs Julie Newton was less aware of this decision.
“I’m sorry to see him take this step,” Newton said. “He’s made an incredible difference as a professional and a scholar.”
As for the future of the journalism school, both agreed Gleason has set up a solid foundation regardless of who will eventually take over.
“I think the future is bright and exciting in part because of his contributions,” Newton said.
Russial knew him as a colleague and as a dean and is thankful for everything he did to both fundraise and manage the faculty.
“Tim has done a lot of good things here,” he said.
According to Gleason, a search for a new dean will begin this July following the return of University Provost Jim Bean. Bean will begin seeking input from SOJC faculty and staff this spring term.