NewsBriefs

Chandler will serve as new chair of communication division

Effective Aug. 1, Dr. Robert Chandler will serve as the new chairperson of the Communication Division.

A member of the Seaver faculty since 1998, he is a recognized author, speaker and researcher in the areas of ethical conduct crises, organizational communication and preventative training. He earned his doctorate from the University of Kansas.

Chandler replaces Dr. Milt Shatzer, who is stepping down from the position after serving for seven years.

GSBM appoints two new associate deans of academia

Two key administrative appointments at the Graziadio School of Business and Management became effective Jan. 1. Dr. Charles Kerns is the new associate dean of Academic Affairs, and Dr. William R. Smith, Jr. is the new associate dean of Academic Programs.

“Dr. Kerns and Dr. Smith are strong leaders committed to the mission of Pepperdine University. They are people of integrity and courage with a passion to provide the highest quality education to our students and the dynamic business community we serve,” said Dr. Linda A. Livingstone, dean of the GSBM, according to a university news release.

Kerns enters the GSBM administration with more than 30 years of experience in the fields of business, consulting and management. During his career he has been highly involved in growing several start-up ventures, leading a large healthcare service organization and building a prosperous consulting firm.

Smith has been an associate professor of marketing at Pepperdine since 1996. Since that time, he has served as the director of the full time MBA and MIB programs, chaired the Full Time Programs Curriculum Committee and served as a member of the Executive MBA Program Committee. Prior to his work at Pepperdine, he served as president and CEO of a bank for six years, traveled extensively throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia, and consulted with a wide range of businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Kerns and Smith join the administration of an MBA program that BusinessWeek ranks 11th in the world and first in teaching ethics.

Department of State issues general advice for Americans overseas

In a public announcement issued early Monday, the U.S. Department of State encouraged Americans overseas to take certain precautionary measures to prepare for possible emergency evacuation.

These measures include the assembly of all vital documents in one accessible location and the maintenance of an adequate supply of food, water and necessary medications. The department also advised that Americans abroad check to make sure their passports and visas are current, and make sure that they are registered with the nearest American embassy or consulate.

Despite that the announcement came amid a national conversation of war, the department ensured that the advice was rooted in a broad range of issues, including natural disasters, personal emergencies or even terrorist attacks.

The Graphic is now available online in redesigned format

A Web edition of The Graphic is now available online every Friday at http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/.

The online version was recently redesigned by University Web and graphic designer Adam Spelbring with assistance from Kyle Dusek and Matthew Madura.

Communication graduate student Justin Kanton is this year’s online Graphic editor. Kanton completed his undergraduate degree in journalism at Washington State University. Kanton covered the Cougar football team for a fan Web site as an undergraduate.

“I’m just trying to make it more attractive to the eye,” Kanton said. “The content is already there. I’m just trying to get more people to come and look at it.”

The site boasts more visuals and not just text, Kanton said.

Submitted January 30, 2003

MALIBU, CA