Tim Gleason

Photos by Jack Liu

The University of Oregon named Tim Gleason the twelfth dean of the School of Journalism and Communication on April 15 following a nationwide search. Gleason, 48, served as the School's interim dean after Dean Duncan McDonald became the University's vice president for public affairs and development last May.

He joined the School's faculty in 1987.

"We're very fortunate to have someone as experienced as Tim Gleason to serve as dean," said UO Provost and Academic Vice President John Moseley in announcing Gleason's appointment.

"Tim's grounding as a professional and a scholar make him an ideal choice for drawing out the potential of the department," McDonald said. "His background gives him the training needed to deal with the challenges facing the School in the future."

During his 10 years at UO, Gleason has taught courses ranging from communication law to photojournalism and communication research. He is developing a communication law site on the Internet and has worked with colleagues Al Stavitsky and William Ryan on a distance-education pilot project.

"Tim's grounding as a professional and a scholar make him an ideal choice for drawing out the potential of the department." -- Duncan McDonald

His research focuses on communication law and ethics. Gleason is the author of The Watchdog Concept: The Press and the Courts in Nineteenth-Century America, and co-author of Social Research in Communication and Law and has published in a number of academic journals, and in newspapers and magazines. Recently, he served as a guest editor for the legal journal Communication Law & Policy.

Professor Steve Ponder said Gleason hit the ground running when he became dean.

"He knows the territory, the issues and the players," Ponder said. "You could not ask for someone better prepared. He has the support and friendship of the faculty."

Gleason's goals as dean include conducting a comprehensive review of the graduate and undergraduate curricula, raising the School's national profile, completing the Allen Hall renovation, continuing to expand the School's computing resources, and maintaining the sense of community in Allen Hall.

President Dave Frohnmayer, right, and Dean Tim Gleason, center, watch as Carolyn Chambers, UO '52, cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the Carolyn S. Chambers Electronic Media Center.

"One of the great strengths of our faculty is that we are always looking for better ways to teach, while at the same time keeping our focus on the fundamentals of critical thinking, creativity, good writing and visual design. This faculty never stops reviewing the curriculum," Gleason said. "Our challenge is to adapt our program to prepare students for a rapidly changing world and to tell our story effectively to a broader audience."

Another major project is the Allen Hall renovation, and keeping it on track will be a top priority.

"I am fortunate to be following two deans, Arnold Ismach and Duncan McDonald, who worked very hard to make this project a reality," Gleason said. "The third phase, the Willis S. Duniway Journalism Resource Center, is under way. The design for the fourth phase, the new main entrance and plaza, is nearly complete. We are building a facility that will take the School well into the next century."

A native of Ventnor City, N.J., Gleason worked as a free-lance and newspaper photojournalist and general assignment reporter on eastern Long Island for eight years before pursuing an academic career.

He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and communication from the State University of New York, Empire State College, and both a master's degree and doctorate from the School of Communication at the University of Washington.

Becoming dean does not mean Gleason will stop doing research or teaching. He is determined to make time in a busy schedule.

"I'm not finished as a scholar yet," he said.