5/27/98

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's College of Communication will formally introduce Carolyn Lewis, director of the Telecommunications Center, to the university and Athens community at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Baker Center's 1804 Lounge.

Lewis began as director in October after spending 25 years with WNPB-TV, a public television station in Morgantown, WV. She started work at the station as a television writer and announcer and was named the general manager in 1993.

She has received the Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award from West Virginia University, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. She received the Award of Excellence for Individual Professional Achievement from the Southern Educational Communication Association.

Lewis currently serves on the board and executive committee of the National Educational Communications Association and is a member of the PBS Communication Advisory Committee and the PBS Program Services Committee.

While at WNPB-TV, Lewis was a strong advocate of community involvement, saying the Telecommunications Center should be a "catalyst and partner to regional community development."

Other goals include strengthening the student professional development program and reorganizing operations to do more local production.

Lewis replaced former director Joe Welling following his retirement. This is the first opportunity to officially introduce her to the community. The reception is open to the public.