Journalism dean to resign after three years

CORRECTION: A reporting error in this article incorrectly identified the length of time Kevin Klose has served as dean. He will have held the position for three years when he steps down June 30. The article has been changed to reflect this correction.

After serving as the journalism school's dean for nearly three years, Kevin Klose announced in an email to faculty and staff members yesterday morning that he will step down from his post June 30.

Klose took the helm of the journalism school as it faced a transition to a brand-new building while it struggled with an outdated curriculum and a shortage of both university and donor dollars. While Klose's run as dean saw controversy over firings of faculty members and a lack of transparency, journalism school professors said his resignation came suddenly, noting complaints had died down this year.

Since Klose's appointment in February 2009, the college moved into the $30 million Knight Hall and expanded its efforts to revamp its multimedia courses. Klose did not cite a reason for his resignation in the email and could not be reached for comment yesterday.

"I think he took over leadership at the toughest possible moment," said journalism professor Carl Sessions Stepp. "He inherited a lot of problems and worked very hard to keep up the momentum of this college."

Klose wrote in the email to faculty that he plans to remain in the college as a professor. Prior to his appointment, Klose had not held a teaching or administrative position at a university.

"I have to say I was very surprised. I was relieved he was going to stay on as a professor because he has a passion for journalism and very deep experience," said journalism professor Deborah Nelson. "What he did express was a strong interest in getting out of the bureaucratic world and into the classroom."

Though university officials hired Klose hoping he could help the college grapple with shrinking funds — Klose raised nearly $400 million in his 10-year stint as National Public Radio's president — faculty members told The Diamondback last August that Klose was not forthcoming with fundraising and budgetary information and did not adequately involve himself in the development of the school's new curriculum.

Klose fired three administrators — assistant deans Steve Crane and Marchelle Payne-Gassaway and Public Affairs Director Matt Sheehan — last August for financial reasons, leading faculty members to question the college's budget and the necessity of those firings.

"It's been an interesting ride as he spent three or so years with us," said Adrianne Flynn, who directs the Capital News Service Washington Bureau. "There's a certain amount of anticipation and trepidation about what comes next."

Stepp said Klose had recently adapted to working at a public university, adding that this semester has seen more transparency than previous years.

"There were some rocky times with Kevin and the faculty, but they had gotten much better," said Stepp, "I think the last several months have seen a lot of progress here, and he seemed to be enjoying the job more."

Although Stepp said the timing of the resignation seemed abrupt, he said the position of running the college during a financially stressful period would be taxing for anyone.

"It's not really surprising to me that three to four years of it is enough for a person," he said.

Journalism professor Chris Hanson said he spoke to Klose on the phone Tuesday evening — Klose called all faculty members to announce his resignation — and Hanson said he thought the dean felt it was time to leave the post since he'd accomplished his main goals.

"I was surprised he was leaving," Hanson said. "It came pretty much out of the blue."

Hanson added that the college needs to begin the search for a new dean immediately to ensure a bright future — and should choose a dean who has experience in multi-platform journalism. It has not yet been determined when the search will begin. Provost Ann Wylie could not be reached for comment.

In his letter to journalism school faculty, Klose said "I appreciate the support you have given to the College, to each other, and most of all, to the students. I thank you for the support to me."

lurye at umdbk dot com