Alabama State University News June 4, 2012 Veteran Newscaster to Lead ASU's New Communications Center Alabama State University President William H. Harris announced during a news conference Tuesday, June 4 that veteran newscaster Bob Howell is the interim director for the University's new Center for Communications and Applied Media. Howell, the former managing editor and news anchorman for WSFA TV-12 News in Montgomery, will lead the center, have roles in developing and creating its curriculum, teaching, and myriad other roles, Harris said. "It became clear to us (ASU) that the one person who could make our interest a reality, and improve what we have done in communications was Bob Howell himself," Harris said. "Accordingly, we are here today to announce the beginning of Alabama State University's Center for Communications and Applied Media, and we are delighted to have Mr. Howell join Alabama State University." Howell retired from WSFA on May 23, ending 32 years with the NBC television station. In all, Howell has 45 years in radio and television journalism. He has reported news from major cities around the nation and has had several foreign assignments covering stories in England, France, Germany and Kuwait. During that time, Howell also produced award-winning documentaries, hosted WSFA's "Newsmakers," "Alabama Illustrated," "Inside Alabama's Legislature" and numerous charity fundraisers. Howell said he is excited to join the ASU team, and while many know of him as a news and communications veteran, he also is no stranger to education. "I have 24 years of college teaching at Troy University before I came here (to ASU), so I am well aware of what goes into making the best of the opportunities that students face today... I look at this as a terrific opportunity to work with a well-established communications school (ASU), and to add a new dimension in making sure the graduates are up to speed in the practical aspects of working in broadcast, social media and print," Howell said. Center for Communications and Applied Media The ASU Center will be a state-of-the-art facility housing ASU's radio and television stations, recording technology resources and student print media. These entities include the University's award-winning radio station WVAS 90.7 FM HD1, HD2 and HD3; its education television station (ASU-TV); and its student newspaper,The Hornet Tribune. Experienced broadcast and print professionals will work with ASU's training faculty to provide communications students with multi-faceted, real-life experiences that may be immediately translated into professional employment opportunities. The Center's mission is to provide students with the highest level of academic preparation and professional training in broadcast and print communications, mass media and related applied technologies through cutting-edge curricula and state-of-the-art, hands-on experiences. It also will work to ensure that students have a successful transition to the professional communications and mass media area in which African-Americans now are severely underrepresented. In addition, the Center will work to establish a communications outreach program in partnership with local governments, civic organizations and public education leaders that will encourage elementary and secondary education students to develop the academic skills and the motivation to pursue a communications degree at Alabama State University. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.