Tim Sharp Named News Director

Contact: Anne Keyser, External & Alumni Relations Coordinator, College of Communication, 740-593-0030 or keysera@ohio.edu

Editors: A photo of Tim Sharp is available at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/SHARP_TIM.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (November 16, 2000) -- Writers, producers, directors and newscasters in the Telecommunications Center at Ohio University are now under the watchful eye of Tim Sharp, recently appointed news director in the center and instructor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. His appointment was effective Oct. 9.

Sharp joins the College of Communication's two units from West Virginia State College, where he taught mass media and radio/television newscasting. Sharp has served in the capacities of news director, manager and Charleston bureau chief/anchor at several West Virginia television stations and as the president of the West Virginia AP Broadcasters Association from 1992 to 1994. He is also the founder of the Mountain News Network (MNN-TV-Independent).

The Associated Press has recognized Sharp's work by honoring him with numerous broadcasting awards, including Most Outstanding News Operation.

Working in Huntington and Charleston allowed Sharp to see what was going on at Ohio University from a sideline perspective. What he saw impressed him.

"The center is a very prestigious operation," Sharp said. "I have also hired a number of successful graduates from the university. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to work here."

Carolyn Bailey-Lewis, director of the Telecommunications Center, was equally impressed with Sharp, admiring his expertise and breadth of work in the industry. "His more than two decades of experience will give students valuable critiques on their broadcasting skills and more adequately prepare them for their professional careers," she said.

Scripps Director Michael Real noted Sharp's extensive academic background as well. "He brings a full set of abilities and insights to both the classroom and the WOUB newsroom," Real said. "It's a very demanding position, and Sharp's management experience will come in handy."

Sharp considers his two roles to be one "seamless" position. "This is the best way of doing it," he said of students' progression from classroom to newsroom. "There is so much you have to learn before you come over here (the Telecommunications Center). And training my future employees isn't such a bad thing."

Although he took the helm just one month ago, Sharp already is clearly focused on the responsibility of serving both students and the Southeastern Ohio community.

"This is not an isolated operation. We touch the community on behalf of the university, providing the only definitive news source for southeastern Ohio," he said. "We are also a recruiting tool in an indirect way, reaching more than 10,000 people in the region."