5/22/97 Contact: Ralph Izard, 614/593-2590 (o) 593-5443 (h)

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ralph Izard, director of Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism since 1986, has announced he will step down from the administrative post following the 1997-98 academic year.

Izard, 58, told his 24-member faculty and directors in the College of Communication of his intentions on Monday (May 19). He says he is undecided about his plans beyond June 1998, saying only that he is "exploring several options."

Izard, who joined the journalism faculty in 1966, is eligible for full retirement benefits from the university. He said he may remain on the Ohio University faculty.

College of Communication Dean Kathy Krendl said a committee should be appointed by mid-June to begin the search for Izard's successor.

The Scripps School of Journalism's graduate and undergraduate programs have been consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally during Izard's tenure. Last year, U.S. News & World Report rated the school's graduate programs in the print journalism, public relations and broadcast news sequences among the nation's top 10.

Izard said he is most proud of the school's expansion of international programs, and the growth of its faculty, facilities, and broadcast and electronic publishing areas. Journalism faculty currently are involved in student and faculty exchange and consulting projects in Germany, Southeast Asia, Russia and the South Pacific. The Sing Tao Center, the Scripps School's new home for its Institute for International Journalism, will be dedicated officially on June 13.

And, "I don't claim credit for any of this -- it just happened on my watch -- but our faculty have taken steps to improve the quality of our student body," Izard said. "We have a very bright group of young people in our school, and I'm very proud of that."

Izard has maintained an active interest in professional development and professional organizations. A former reporter and editor for the Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail and The Associated Press in four bureaus, Izard has worked as an ethics and editorial consultant for print and broadcast media in several South Pacific islands over the past four years.

A specialist on journalism ethics and First Amendment rights, he has held several leadership positions with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and in 1992-93 served as national president of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. In 1985, he won the Wells Memorial Key, SPJ's highest national honor for members. Izard earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from West Virginia University in 1961 and 1962, respectively, and he received a Ph.D. in communication from the University in Illinois in 1969.

Don Lambert, a 30-year Ohio University faculty member, said his longtime colleague has enhanced the image of Ohio University's journalism school.

"He did right by the students and faculty, and I think he got along well with the college and university administration," Lambert said. "And he certainly has done a great job working with our outside constituencies, especially alumni. He will be missed as director."