KNOXVILLE — Dr. Sam Swan has been named interim director of the University of Tennessee School of Journalism and Electronic Media.
His appointment begins July 1.
Interim Journalism and Electronic Media Director Dr. Sam Swan
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Swan will replace Dr. James Crook, who came out of retirement to serve as interim director for the 2004-2005 academic year.
Swan, who has been at UT for 20 years, was head of UT’s department of broadcasting from 1985 to 1994. Prior to that, he was head of the department of radio-television at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
“Sam brings a wealth of administrative knowledge and experience to the college,” said Dean Faye Julian. “He is an excellent teacher whose rapport with the students is exceptional.”
Swan received a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in communication from Central Missouri State University in 1974, and a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Missouri in 1978.
After earning the undergraduate degree, Swan worked in Sri Lanka where he lived with local families to better understand the people and the culture. He helped develop radio programs designed to reach young farmers.
Swan works with Voice of America and other international media agencies to train television journalists and managers in countries transitioning from state-controlled media to free-market capitalism.
“I have conducted more than 90 workshops for more than 1,000 journalists in more than 40 countries,” Swan said.
His research interests include broadcast journalism, management and international broadcasting.
The School of Journalism and Electronic Media is part of the College of Communication and Information.