The first
of four finalists vying for the director of Student Media position will
answer questions from students and the university community on Thursday.
An open public forum will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Anspach
Hall 154, giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to meet Kathleen
Simon, assistant director of Student Publications for CMU.
Director of Student Media Jim Wojcik announced his retirement earlier
in the semester after working in the department for nearly 30 years. He
is currently filling the position until a finalist is selected, and serving
as a temporary associate professor for the journalism department for the
academic year.
Simon said several things set her apart from the other candidates.
“I believe I could bring continuity to the program as a CMU grad and a
former LIFEer, and as a current member of the staff.”
Simon said she applied for the position because she understands the value
of what CM LIFE brings to its student employees.
“With 20 years experience in the newspaper business, I feel I bring experience
and contacts. I have a passion for the business that I hope will inspire
the staff at CM LIFE,” she said.
Simon said she could not cite any specific changes that she would implement
if selected, because she wants to get a more hands-on feel for the operation.
“Right now it operates so well and is great in placing staff into career
opportunities,” she said.
Simon attended CMU from 1977-81, and received her bachelor’s degree in
journalism with a minor in marketing. She worked at CM LIFE as a reporter
for one year in 1978, then moved into the publication’s advertising section
until her graduation. She also served as student ad manager for the last
semester of her senior year.
Her professional experience includes serving as the advertising director
for The Morning Sun from 1995-98, and as sales and marketing director
for Central Michigan Newspapers Inc., both located at 711 W. Pickard St.
Simon joined the Student Publications staff in January, and currently
heads the advertising department for CM LIFE.
As part of the selection process, Simon will meet with the Council of
Deans from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Bovee University Center Lake
St. Clair Room; with the search committee from 10 a.m. to noon in the
BUC Isabella Room; with the journalism department from 1:30 to 2 p.m.
in Anspach Hall 002; the open forum from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; dinner with
Wojcik at 5 p.m.; meet with Provost Richard Davenport and University President
Michael Rao from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday in the President’s Office
Warriner Hall 106; and lunch with Associate Vice President of Public Relations
and Marketing Bill Jenkins at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.
The other finalists for the position and the times of their public forums
are:

• Mark Ranzenberger, managing editor of the Isabella County Herald and temporary journalism instructor at CMU, will have an open forum from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday in the BUC Lake Michigan Room;
• David
  Alexander, business editor of the Muskegon Chronicle, will have an open
  forum from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Monday in the BUC Lake Huron Room;
• Neil Hopp, managing editor for training and development of the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, Ill., will have an open forum from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 16 in the BUC Terrace A Room.

Journalism Professor John Palen, co-chair of the search committee, said there are several qualities the committee members are searching for in the finalists.
“We’re looking for what we advertised – someone with at least a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years experience in the field and at least two of those in management either in news or advertising,” he said.
“We want someone who can work effectively with employees and clients of a widely varied background, maintain positive relations with students, faculty, visitors, fellow workers and the general public and who has knowledge of budgeting and newspaper technology.
“They also must communicate effectively both orally and in writing and develop empathetic rapport with students,” Palen said.
Palen said he is satisfied with the four finalists.
“We wanted to narrow it down to a reasonably sized field and included the best candidates and the ones that were still interested in the position, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”
After the finalists visit campus, the search committee will then submit its report to Davenport, who ultimately selects the new director.
“I think we have a wonderful field of candidates. I’m just so pleased. We had 26 from around the country and we’ve narrowed it down to four … and I’m wonderfully encouraged,” Palen said.

E-mail the author: Sarah LeachLIFE News Editor