Citing a recent Freedom Forum report that was critical of the academic preparation received by journalism school students, Ghiglione said that the Emory undergraduate program will combine basic journalism skills development with a challenging academic program. "Emory students will receive a solid liberal arts education and journalism training that will help them interpret certain specialized fields," said Ghiglione. "Through internships, writing courses and opportunities to work with journalism practitioners, students will obtain the well-rounded education and preparation they need to excel in journalism."
In 1995 Emory received $1.35 million from the James M. Cox, Jr. Foundation to fund an endowed professorship dedicated to teaching journalism skills to undergraduate students.
The Cox professor and the college-wide journalism program are housed within the Institute of the Liberal Arts (ILA), enabling the program to draw upon the strengths in departments across the University. Ghiglione will spend the fall semester developing curriculum and initiating the student selection process. When the program formally begins this spring, Ghiglione will teach journalism and serve as special faculty adviser to the program's students and as an on-campus liaison for news executives interested in employing graduates. The Emory program will include seminars and lectures by outstanding journalists invited to campus to meet with students.
Arnold Rosenfeld, senior vice president/editor-in-chief of Cox Newspapers Inc., served on the search committee that selected Ghiglione. "We wanted someone who understood where journalism has been, and who has a realistic idea of where it's heading," said Rosenfeld. "The search committee also wanted someone with a high degree of respect and visibility in the profession. We found both in Loren."
Ghiglione has had a long and distinguished career as a working journalist and scholar. For more than 20 years he has served as guest lecturer or editor-in-residence at institutions including the American Press Institute, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Harvard University and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Ghiglione has written and lectured widely on issues such as ethical challenges in reporting, community journalism and newsroom diversity.
From 1969-95, Ghiglione was editor of The News in Southbridge, Mass., and president of the Worcester County Newspapers. In recognition of his work in encouraging newspaper industry diversity, Ghiglione was honored with the 1987 Ida B. Wells Award from the National Conference of Editorial Writers, National Association of Black Journalists and the National Broadcast Editorial Association.
Ghiglione is the author of seven journalism books, including The American Journalist: Paradox of the Press, which accompanied a 1990 U.S. Library of Congress exhibit for which he was a guest curator. Ghiglione is an editorial board member of the Newspaper Research Journal, consultant to the Ford Foundation and the Pew Center for Civic Journalism, a board of managers member of Haverford College, and a former Pulitzer Prize juror. He has served in many leadership roles in the American Society of Newspaper Editors, most recently as president from 1989-90.
He received a bachelor's degree from Haverford College, a master's degree and a law degree from Yale University, and a doctorate in American civilization from George Washington University.
--Nancy Seideman