The College of Journalism and Communications is an academic college of the University of Florida. It comprises four departments:
- Department of Journalism (journalism)
- Department of Telecommunications (telecommunication)
- Department of Advertising (advertising)
- Department of Public Relations (public relations)
The college traces its origins to 1925, when the Department of Journalism was formed in Language Hall (now Anderson Hall). Orland K. "O.K." Armstrong was the first head of the department. The first three journalism degrees were awarded in 1928.
The department moved into Buckman Hall, a renovated dormitory, in 1937.
Rae O. Weimer, former managing editor at the New York City daily newspaper PM, began teaching in the Department of Journalism in 1949. In 1950, the journalism program was accredited, although it still had only "one classroom, no equipment and only two teachers." In late 1953, broadcasting was transferred to journalism and the department became a school, the School of Journalism and Communications.
In the 1960s, the School of Journalism and Communications became the fastest-growing journalism program in the United States and the fastest-growing unit at UF. The growth was directly related to its national prominence as the college began dominating the annual Hearst Foundation's national collegiate writing competition.
In 1967, the school became a full-fledged college. Weimer was named the first dean. Weimer has been referred to as the "founding father" of journalism at UF; the current journalism building, Weimer Hall, is named for him.
The centerpiece of the journalism programs at UF is WUFT, which consists of both a WUFT (TV) Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television and WUFT-FM NPR public radio station. The commercial broadcasting radio station, WRUF AM850, is also one of the oldest stations in the state.
ABC News at UF
ABC News opened a "mini-bureau" at the College of Journalism and Communications in September 2008. It was one of five universities chosen for the ABC News on Campus program, along with Arizona State University, Syracuse University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Student Organizations
In October 2011, the University of Florida chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) was named Most Outstanding Chapter of the Year.
Degrees
The College of Journalism and Communications offers several degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in journalism, telecommunication, advertising, or public relations
- Master of Arts in mass communications
- Journalism
- Master of Advertising
- Ph.D.
List of deans
The following is a list of the deans at the College of Journalism and Communications and its predecessor units:
See also
- WUFT (TV)
- WUFT-FM / WJUF
- WRUF (AM)
- WRUF-FM
- WRUF-LD
References
External links
- College of Journalism and Communications Web site
- Gainesville Sun info about the College
- University of Florida Web site
- The Independent Florida Alligator, the daily student newspaper
- About the Graduate Programs
- Press Release about the Dean
- About the founder of the College
- Capital Campaign for the College