Journalism school hosts dean candidate

The journalism school is hosting a candidate for its vacant dean position this week.

Kevin Klose, president of National Public Radio from December 1998 to September 2008, is a candidate for the vacant dean position at the journalism school. Klose will be visiting the campus to meet with faculty and students of the journalism school, as well as Provost Nariman Farvardin and university President Dan Mote.

Klose was also a reporter and editor at The Washington Post for 25 years.

"It's obvious that he has an excellent and extensive background," said Interim Dean of the College of Journalism Lee Thornton, who is on the search committee.

Other committee members declined to comment because of the search's restrictions.

Klose received a bachelor's degree cum laude from Harvard University. He is the recipient of honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees from Union College, Marist College and St. Lawrence University. He also served as a sea officer in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the Post and before coming to NPR, he served as the president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The university is looking for a dean with leadership ability, energy, high quality scholarship and a vision to take the school to the next level of excellence, Farvardin said.

Klose, who couldn't be reached for comment, has authored and co-authored five books but has no past academic experience. Farvardin said Klose's professional background is typical for deans of professional schools, such as former journalism Dean Tom Kunkel.

"Some of the best deans come from the profession," Farvardin said.

Farvardin said he can't make a decision about Klose until he meets him, but he said "at this point, he's the only candidate." The search is still open.

Thorton said a good administrator is needed to run the journalism school, an ability Klose demonstrated while working at NPR.

While at NPR, where Klose held the titles of president, corporate board of directors member and president of the NPR foundation, its budget tripled to more than $160 million annually, according to an e-mail sent by the journalism school. Klose will visit the campus tomorrow. His presentation and open forum will be from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Tyser Auditorium in Van Munching Hall.

The interview is the second phase of the dean search. The search committee selected Klose in the first phase. If university officials are pleased after his visit, the university will extend Klose an offer, Farvardin said.

"It's extremely important we have the opinion of students," Farvardin said. "We encourage them to participate. We would like for students to come out and give their thoughts."

taustindbk@gmail.com