Stewart Hoover, professor of journalism and mass communications at the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, will serve as the school's interim dean beginning July 1, pending approval by the CU Board of Regents.
Phil DiStefano, vice chancellor for academic affairs, appointed Hoover to the interim position following the resignation of Willard "Wick" Rowland, current dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, effective at the end of the semester.
"I believe that Stewart will provide the quality leadership for the school that will be important during this transition," DiStefano said.
Hoover also holds appointments in religious studies and American studies. He is an internationally recognized authority on broadcast and print media coverage of religion news.
Hoover joined the CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø faculty in 1991. Prior to coming to CU he held several positions in the School of Communications and Theater at Temple University.
Hoover earned his doctorate in communications from the Annenberg School of Communications. He is the author of many publications, including "Religion in the Media Age," a book currently in progress (Oxford University Press), and co-author of "Children, Families and the Media in Postmodern Religion."
He has received several research and other awards, and is an active speaker and seminar leader. His consulting and professional experience includes membership on the Advisory Board of the Center for Religion and the News Media at Northwestern University.
Hoover's appointment is for one year. DiStefano said that he will announce a search process for the recruitment of a new dean early in the fall semester.