The Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication has hired Dr. Brian Gabrial to fill the position of the Erbon and Marie Wise Endowed Chair in Journalism for the 2018-2019 school year.
A current Professor Emeritus and former master’s program director at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Dr. Gabrial brings nearly three decades of professional and academic experience to NSU. The department is excited at Gabrial’s potential to make a huge impact on NSU’s journalism students.
“Traditionally, when a professor takes an endowed position, it is more of an advisory role with the University,” stated Thomas Whitehead, Professor Emeritus at NSU. “However, Dr. Gabrial will be a full-time professor with the university. His engaging teaching methods and enthusiastic attitude will be a huge asset to the journalism department.”
In addition to teaching and program directing, Dr. Gabrial has experience in news production, and has won multiple awards in his career.
“Dr. Gabrial is as close to a complete package as we could have hoped for,” said Paula Furr, Head of the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication. “We’re hoping his experience and background will bring new thinking to the department.”
Dr. Gabrial’s office is located on the second floor of Keyser Hall, and he will be teaching a variety of classes within the department.
“The world of modern journalism is changing, and changing fast,” said Dr. Gabrial. “A lot of people nowadays don’t have media literacy. I feel that I can contribute a lot towards preparing students to be good journalists, and to keep up with the pace of today’s media.”
Senior NSU student and Baptist Collegiate Ministry President Chase Slater agrees with the department’s assessment of Dr. Gabrial.
“In my opinion, he is the right fit for the job because he shows a genuine care for students,” Slater said. “In a writing activity during his mock lecture, he emphasized how we can learn from each other’s writing to become stronger writers ourselves.”
Slater advocated on Gabrial’s behalf to the committee selecting the new Wise Chair.
“There was just something about him I couldn’t put my finger on,” Slater said. “I just feel like he will be an invaluable asset to our NSU family.”