ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Interim Provost Gary Schumacher today announced that College of Communication Associate Dean Raymie McKerrow has been named interim associate provost for graduate studies.

"Dr. Raymie McKerrow brings an excellent background in graduate education to the position of interim associate provost for graduate studies," said Schumacher. "He has an exceptional scholarly record, has been recognized for his outstanding graduate teaching and has been very active in regional and national associations in the field of communication. He will provide innovative and effective leadership to Ohio University's graduate programs."

McKerrow will advance the university's graduate mission by helping develop new academic programs and by managing the regular review of the masters and doctoral programs in consultation with the university's Graduate Council. He will also coordinate interdisciplinary activities, off-campus program development and graduate certificate programs.

McKerrow came to Ohio University in 1995 as a professor in the School of Interpersonal Communication. He was tenured in 1996. He previously taught at the University of Maine and the University of Wisconsin. He received his doctorate from the University of Iowa.

"I am looking forward to working with faculty on increasing the strength and visibility of our graduate programs," said McKerrow. "Gary Schumacher has positioned us well to continue improving diversity in recruiting new students, as well as enhancing overall program quality."

McKerrow has published more than 40 scholarly articles and has coauthored a speech communication textbook, "Principles and Types of Speech Communication," and a textbook on public communication, "The Pragmatics of Public Communication."

McKerrow is a past president of the National Communication Association, a non-profit organization of approximately 7,100 educators, practitioners, and students that promotes study, criticism, research, teaching and application of the artistic, humanistic and scientific principles of communication.