An accomplished scholar and effective administrator will take over as head of SIUC’s School of Journalism Jan. 1, University officials say.

Donald W. Jugenheimer, the chair of the communications and speech and English departments at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J., was announced as the new director for the SIUC School of Journalism Wednesday.

Dennis T. Lowry, acting director of the School of Journalism, said Jugenheimer will bring a balance to the school.

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On one hand, he is a scholar and a published writer, Lowry said. On the other hand, he is an administrator.

Lowry said he expects Jugenheimer to work with the school in making small changes over the years that will come together to equal big changes.

The School of Journalism’s faculty voted unanimously to recommend Jugenheimer to College of Mass Communication Dean Joe Foote, Lowry said.

Foote said by choosing Jugenheimer, the school knew it would be getting a director that could handle the job.

We weren’t taking any risks, Foote said. We knew we were getting someone with a solid record of leadership.

Foote said in a press release that Jugenheimer was chosen in a national search and will bring valuable expertise to SIUC.

He has extensive administrative experience and an excellent reputation in advertising and marketing which will fit very well with our mission and future plans for the college, Foote said.

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Thomas Johnson, an assistant professor of journalism, said Jugenheimer’s administrative experience, energy and motivation will help the school’s promotion and recruitment, and were main reasons he voted for Jugenheimer.

The search for a new director began after Foote announced at the Dec. 16, 1994, faculty meeting his decision to replace previous director Walter Jaehnig.

Jugenheimer was raised in Champaign and has a bachelor’s degree in advertising, a master’s degree in advertising and a doctor of philosophy in communications with a specialization in advertising. All of his degrees are from the University of Illinois.

Jugenheimer could not be reached for comment, but will be on campus today in the Communications Building.