As a CUSE alum and former Newhouse junkie, I have to give a shout out to Lorraine Branham, the new dean of SU’s stellar communication school!
 
The low down:
Currently the director of the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, Branham will assume her new position July 1. She replaces much revered (and often feared) classical music- loving David M. Rubin who’d served as Newhouse dean since 1990.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as the new dean of the Newhouse School, and I look forward to working with its very talented faculty, staff and alumni to continue its extraordinary record of achievement,” Branham said in her first address to the public. “This is a very exciting time to be joining Newhouse, and I welcome the challenge of leading one of the very best communication schools in the nation. 

Branham was chosen from among 300 nominations and 60 applicants following a seven-month nationwide search. Her “tremendous understanding of the rapidly evolving world of media and the importance of graduate education and research in a modern school of communications” nailed her the job, as well as her “deep respect for the status of the Newhouse School and the role the school and its dean must play in today's global society.” 

“We applaud the great progress under Dean David Rubin,” media mogul Donald E. Newhouse said, “and we welcome Lorraine Branham with high hopes that she will provide the same determined leadership to steer the school in new directions in a fast-changing media world.” 

“I am also excited about the opportunity to work with Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina and Chancellor Nancy Cantor in helping to achieve their vision of Scholarship in Action at Syracuse University,” Branham said. “At the same time, I look forward to making the transition to the Big East and wearing a new shade of orange!”