Former CBS News Executive Named Associate Dean At Stony Brook
Marcy McGinnis, an Emmy Award-winning former senior executive at CBS News and one of the most respected broadcast journalists in the nation, has been named Associate Dean at Stony Brook University’s School of Journalism. The announcement was made today by Howard Schneider, Dean of the School of Journalism.

As Associate Dean, McGinnis will oversee development of the video curriculum, recruitment of faculty, fundraising, student recruitment, strategic planning, and development of satellite campuses for the journalism program. She will continue as Director of the Broadcast Journalism program.

“Our journalism students will benefit greatly from Marcy’s experience, knowledge, and commitment to good journalism,” said Shirley Strum Kenny, President of Stony Brook University.

“Marcy McGinnis is an extraordinary journalist who has made remarkable progress in developing our Broadcast Journalism program,” Schneider said. “Her vision, energy, and enthusiasm are just what we need as to make the journalism school one of the most competitive in the country. She also will be a wonderful mentor for our students.”

Stony Brook’s School of Journalism, the state’s only undergraduate journalism school at a public university, has already established the first News Literacy course in the nation, not only for journalism students but also for the general student population. The course teaches students to develop critical thinking skills to judge the credibility and reliability of news from print, broadcast and Internet sources.

In addition, this fall the School is unveiling its “Newsroom of the Future” – a fully equipped, state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a classroom, lab and newsroom. Stony Brook University announced the establishment of its School of Journalism in June 2006. It began offering a Bachelor’s degree program last fall.

“Our journalism program will be increasingly innovative and comprehensive,” McGinnis said. “We will continue to attract faculty and students who are passionate about the future of journalism. Our graduates will be armed with the skills and values to succeed in a rapidly- changing news environment.”

McGinnis joined the journalism faculty last year after a career at CBS News that spanned over three decades.

McGinnis was Senior Vice President, News Coverage, at CBS News from June 2001 through December 2005 and Vice President, News Coverage from 1997-2001. She managed CBS News’ worldwide newsgathering operation, hard news broadcasts, special events coverage and breaking news as well as the operation and staffing of all domestic and overseas bureaus. McGinnis was at the helm of the newsgathering operation during coverage of 9/11, the War in Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina. She was one of the primary architects of CBS News’ award-winning coverage of the War in Iraq.

Prior to her appointment as Vice President, News Coverage, McGinnis was Vice President, Europe and London Bureau Chief for CBS News (1995-97), running its day-to-day newsgathering and news coverage in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She received three Emmys Awards for coverage of the death of Princess Diana in 1997. She was Deputy London Bureau Chief and Director, Newspath Europe from 1992-1995. While in Europe she formed and managed CBS News’ newsgathering consortium of international news broadcasters.

Prior to her London assignment, McGinnis held a variety of positions with CBS News including executive producer (1989-92), senior producer (1986-92), producer (1983-86), associate producer (1977-83), assistant producer (1973-77) and administrative assistant (1970--73).

McGinnis is a native of Allenhurst, N.J. She graduated with honors from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia and holds honorary doctorates from her alma mater and from Hofstra University’s School of Communication. She serves on the boards of the International Center for Journalists, Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication, the Overseas Press Club and Women’s eNews. She is on the Advisory Boards of the International Women in Media Foundation and Stony Brook University’s School of Journalism.