9/2/97
ATHENS, Ohio -- Carolyn Bailey Lewis, general manager of West Virginia public television station WNPB in Morgantown, has been named the new director of Ohio University's Telecommunications Center, effective Oct. 1.
Selected after a national search, Lewis replaces Joe Welling, who retired as director of the center in 1995.
Carolyn brings to the position a wealth of experience in public broadcasting and a strong commitment to the region," said College of Communication Dean Kathy Krendl. She will bring new ideas, strategies and opportunities to the center, the college, the institution and the region."
I am delighted that Ms. Lewis has accepted our offer and will be joining us," said Provost Sharon Brehm. I am sure she will work extremely well with Dean Krendl and the Telecommunications Center staff, and that she will become a vital and active member of the university and the Athens community."
The Telecommunications Center and its public broadcasting operations began reporting to the College of Communication in July. The T-Com Center operates Ohio University Public Television, including WOUB-TV in Athens and WOUC-TV in Cambridge, and public radio stations WOUB-AM and WOUB-FM and its four sister radio stations in Zanesville, Ironton, Chillicothe and Cambridge.
More than 100 students work at the center each year as part of the Student Professional Development Program. The center also operates the Athens Community Television cable channel, and various teleconferencing, distance learning and online computer service operations for the university.
Ohio University's Telecommunications Center is a model of service to the university, the region and the nation," Lewis said. I look to build upon and expand that service, using emerging technologies to effectively lead the center into the next century."
Lewis has directed a staff of up to 45 and a $2.5 million budget at WNPB-TV in Morgantown, W.Va., since 1993, in addition to overseeing public information for the station and serving as executive editor of a statewide program guide. Under her leadership, the station has won several promotion, advertising and programming awards. Lewis developed funding to network computers at the station, and she serves as an on-air host for membership drives and public affairs programs. WNPB works closely with West Virginia University, producing a weekly medical call-in TV show. WNPB is part of West Virginia's statewide public broadcasting network.
Lewis was director of public information and graphic design at WNPB from 1984 to 1993, and was community relations manager at WNPB and WWVU-TV from 1979 to 1984.
She won the Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award at WVU in 1993, and was presented the Award of Excellence for Individual Professional Achievement by the Southern Educational Communications Association in 1994. She is a member of the national PBS Communications Advisory Committee, America's Public Television Stations' Board of Trustees, the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, and the West Virginia University Black Alumni Committee.
Lewis earned bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from WVU in 1971 and 1987, respectively.