Lauren Kastner | Jan. 3, 2012
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| Photo by Nicholas Demille |
| Professor Dave Nord is retiring, but plans to continue his work in journalism and communications history research. |
A member of the IU School of Journalism faculty since 1979, Nord is retiring after 32 years of teaching and research.
Nord also is an adjunct professor of history at IU, the editor of History News Service, and has served as the acting editor, interim editor and associate editor of the Journal of American History.
"My work as a historian was helped by having a connection with other departments such as History," Nord said. "That has been central to my career at IU, and I've liked having two different academic lives."
Nord's research interests lie in the history of American publishing, especially journalism history, the history of the religious press, and the history of readers and reading. He is the author of three books, several book chapters and scholarly articles in many journals.
Nord has been involved with the Center for the History of the Book in American Culture at the American Antiquarian Society. He has served on the Center's Board of Overseers and is a volume editor on A History of the Book in America, a multi-volume project of the American Antiquarian Society and the University of North Carolina University Press.
Nord worked as a reporter in the early 1970s, and has edited and written for many journals. He has a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University, a master's degree from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
In the late 1980s, Nord was chair of the committee that set up the curriculum for the bachelor's in journalism degree to enable the shift of the program from the College of Arts and Sciences to the newly-independent School of Journalism.
Dean of the School of Journalism Brad Hamm said journalism history has always been essential to every great journalism school’s curriculum.
“Nord is nationally recognized as an excellent historian,” Hamm said. “The quality of his research is remarkable, and he has made a name for himself and IU with a wide range of expertise.”
Nord said he would like to see the school maintain the core instruction of writing and reporting, maintain a strong relationship with the liberal arts, and expose students to new media.
“The School of Journalism belongs to those who are still here, and I am ready to get out of the way while the institution lives on,” Nord said.
In retirement, Nord plans to carry over his work and continue research. He will remain on graduate student committees and the Faculty Advisory Council for the Lilly Library. He said he would like to do more physical work, read independently and spend time with his grandchild.
Nord said he will miss interacting with students and would like to act as a mentor for a few students every year.
"I’ve always felt supported here," Nord said. "The School of Journalism has supported me to do research that is not just about journalism, but also about other areas of publishing and readership."
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