June 7, 2007
Faculty Member Appointed Associate Head
of Department of Journalism

Marie Hardin, an associate professor in the College of Communications, has been appointed associate head of the Department of Journalism.

A member of the Penn State faculty since 2003, Hardin serves also as director of the Dow Jones Center for Editing Excellence and as associate director for research of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. She teaches news writing and reporting, news media ethics, and sports media and society.

As associate head of the Department of Journalism, Hardin will handle course scheduling and work closely with Ford Risley, associate professor and department head, on other duties.

“Ford and I are elated Marie has accepted the new assignment,” said Dean Doug Anderson of the College of Communications. “The dramatic growth in the number of faculty and students, the increase in outside special events and the day-to-day mechanics of running the department simply dictate that we need an associate head to help shoulder the responsibilities. Marie brings superb academic and professional credentials to the post. She is one of the rising stars in our field.”

Course offerings have increased greatly in recent years as the department keeps pace with its significant growth. The journalism department now offers more than 150 course sections each year to meet the needs of its students.
“I’m thrilled to have Marie joining us as associate head of the department,” Risley said. “She has the right administrative skills for the position.”

Before coming to Penn State, Hardin held a faculty position at the University of West Georgia and has also taught at Florida Southern College, Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and to serve colleagues who have been so supportive of me since I arrived here four years ago,” Hardin said. “It’s an honor to work with the leadership team in this college, which is top-rate.”
She has taught journalism courses on topics including writing, editing, ethics and online media. In addition, Hardin has professional experience as a contributing writer, newsroom coach and copy writer for newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies.

She has produced numerous book chapters, papers and academic articles. Her research has been published in Critical Studies in Media Communication, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, and Mass Communication and Society, among others.

Along with research and teaching, Hardin boasts a strong record of service in roles as a coordinator, instructor and judge in contests and seminars for high school journalists, and as an active member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Association for Women in Sports Media and the American Copy Editors Society.  

Contact information:
Steve Sampsell
Coordinator of College Relations
Phone: (814) 865-8801
Email:sws102@psu.edu