Michael D. Murray, professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, has been named director of the newly formed Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies at UNLV, effective July 1.

Murray currently serves as the Curator's Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, where he has taught for the past 22 years. Widely published, Murray is author or editor of seven books, including the "Encyclopedia of Television News" and "Television in America," and co-editor of the recently published "Mass Communication Education." He currently serves as the review and criticism editor of the academic periodical "Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media." In addition, he is the former president of the American Journalism Historians Association, which in 2003 presented him with its highest honor, The Sidney Kobre Award for Lifetime Contributions.

Murray earned a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1974 and has worked in network news at NBC television stations and CBS News. Prior to joining the University of Missouri, he founded and directed the communication and journalism program at the University of Louisville.

Formerly the Hank Greenspun School of Communication, the school was recently reorganized and renamed the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies and will include the units of print and broadcast journalism, public relations, and advertising.

The school's former director, David Henry, will serve as chair of the newly formed department of communication studies, which will house programs in rhetorical, interpersonal, and intercultural communications.