communigator

Wanta is new Journalism chair

At a time when journalism education is encountering significant challenges due to the technological and economic issues facing the media industry, UF’s new chair of the Department of Journalism Wayne Wanta looks instead to the opportunities.

“The University of Florida has one of the best journalism and communications programs in the country,” said Wanta. “There are a million challenges and opportunities facing journalism education today, given the economic difficulties facing the news media, but UF is very well situated to face these challenges. UF’s Department of Journalism has strengths in both traditional journalism as well as new technologies. The opportunities are endless.”

Wayne joins the Department after holding the Welch-Bridgewater Chair in Sports Journalism at Oklahoma State University. He joined the OSU department in 2009 after serving as a professor at the University of Missouri for eight years. He previously was an associate professor of journalism at UF from 1999 to 2001.

Wanta, who served as president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication from 2006-2007, earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Texas and his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. He was honored by AEJMC in 2010 as the recipient of its Trayes Service Award.

Wanta has published numerous articles, books and textbooks, including “The News & Public Opinion: Media Effects on Civic Life,” a book currently under contract he has co-authored with several scholars including Spiro Kiousis, chair of UF’s Department of Public Relations. In addition to Wanta’s interest in sports journalism, his research also encompasses the media’s effect on politics, public policy and international issues.

“Wayne’s teaching and scholarly experience at three of the nation’s leading journalism schools, combined with his professional experience, personal integrity and commitment to students and faculty, makes him an ideal choice to chair UF’s Department of Journalism,” said Dean John Wright. “His interest in sports journalism will also add a new dimension to the College’s teaching and research efforts.”

Wanta also served for five years as executive director of the Center for the Digital Globe at the University of Missouri. “Wayne’s international experience and his work with Missouri’s Center for the Digital Globe will enhance our efforts to strengthen our Center for Media Innovation + Research,” added Wright.

Wanta currently serves on the editorial boards of nine scholarly journals and reviews manuscripts for numerous publications.

He also has established an excellent record of service while at OSU, Missouri and Florida, serving as a member, chair or co-chair for dozens of doctoral and master’s committees and participating on numerous faculty committees.

— Quenta Vettel