Pulitzer winner to lead BU program
Boston University will tap a former executive editor of the Miami Herald and a Pulitzer Prize winner as the next dean of its College of Communication.
University officials introduced Tom Fiedler to dozens of faculty at a meeting late yesterday afternoon in advance of their formal announcement today. Fiedler, who earned a master's degree in journalism at BU in 1971, will oversee about 2,300 students and 165 faculty, beginning June 1.
Fiedler said in a phone interview last night that his decision to take the job was part sentimental attachment to the institution that first inspired him as a journalist, and a desire to foster a new crop of talent for the fields of journalism, advertising, and public relations in today's quickly changing media environment.
"Working with young people and giving them the same spark professors gave to me 37 years ago would be a special thing," said the 62-year-old Fiedler, who retired from the Miami Herald last year. "I feel having spent a career in journalism I have something of value to pass along. . . . One thing we get out of journalism is soul satisfaction - doing the right thing."
Robert A. Brown, BU president, said in an e-mail last night that he was particularly interested in working with Fiedler to move the college forward in the changing media environment.
"I am delighted to have Tom assume the leadership of the College of Communication at a time when we have the opportunity to help redefine undergraduate and graduate education in the rapidly changing and merging fields of journalism, mass communication, film, and media," Brown said. "Tom brings to Boston University the rare combination of leadership experience in the industry, great journalistic experience and reputation, knowledge of Boston University, and a vision for where the academic enterprise needs to go to lead. "
Fiedler has worked in journalism for 37 years, securing his first job at the Orlando Sentinel as part of a team of reporters covering the impending opening of Disney World. By the following year he was covering the George McGovern campaign.
He joined the Miami Herald in 1973, sharing in a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for a series of stories on a religious cult. He also worked as a political columnist, investigative reporter, and editorial page editor during his 34 years at the paper. He rose to national prominence in 1987 as one of the reporters who broke the Gary Hart scandal. In 2001, he became executive editor, overseeing a newsroom of approximately 400 journalists.
For the last year, he has been living with his wife, Suzanne, at Harvard University, where he is a visiting lecturer and former fellow at the Kennedy School of Government's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics & Public Policy.
His appointment has been well-received by BU faculty.
"I, personally, am utterly delighted by the appointment," said Robert Zelnik, a journalism professor who attended yesterday's meeting. "His entire career has been a pursuit of excellence and truth."
James Vaznis can be reached at jvaznis@globe.com.
