New dean for College of Communication

Fort Worth, TX

4/14/2008

David Whillock, associate dean of the College of Communication, has been named dean of the College of Communication. Whillock, who has been at TCU since 1991, will begin serving as dean in June after William Slater, current College of Communication dean, retires.

“David was the perfect fit for this position,” said TCU Provost Dr. Nowell Donovan. “He brings extensive knowledge and experience to the dean’s office and will no doubt continue to enhance the College’s reputation on a national and international level.”

“I’m excited about this new opportunity,” said Whillock. “The College of Communication provides students excellent opportunities to excel in their profession while learning from professors and others who are stellar leaders in their fields. Students in the College also travel to places such as Italy, London and Washington, D.C. to apply skills learned in the classroom.”

Prior to joining TCU Whillock, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, was an assistant professor in the department of communication at the University of Alabama-Huntsville in Huntsville, Alabama. Whillock began his career at TCU as an assistant professor and coordinator of the graduate program in the radio, television, and film (RTVF) department. He also has served as an associate professor and curator of the Tandy Film Library for RTVF; chair and associate professor for RTVF; and interim dean of the College of Communication.

As associate dean, Whillock developed and oversaw many initiatives and activities including the College’s international programs in London, Italy, Mexico and Chile and the College’s media convergence initiative. In addition, Whillock served as the director of assessment for the College and coordinated the College’s graduate programs and policies, faculty, financial aid, curriculum and operating budget.

His professional affiliations include serving as a board member for the Lone Star Film Society and as a member of the education board for the American Film Institute/Dallas International Film Festival. He also served on the executive board for the Van Cliburn Foundation.

The College of Communication consists of RTVF, communication studies and the Schieffer School of Journalism. The Schieffer School is named after Bob Schieffer, 1959 TCU graduate and moderator of CBS News Face the Nation.