Kathy Krendl, dean of Ohio University's College of Communication, named professor Terry Eiler the new director of the School of Visual Communication Sept. 1.
Eiler has been a full-time professor at OU since 1975. He and his father-in-law, Chuck Scott, founded the School of Visual Communication in 1977.
In May, Eiler was named interim director of the school. He said he felt there needed to be "a sense of permanent leadership to continue this level of excellence in the school." Eiler said he did not run for the job of director; instead, the job selected him.
Eiler earned his bachelor's degree from OU in 1966. He began his master's degree at the University of Missouri but attended only one semester. He returned to OU and earned his Master of Fine Arts in 1969.
One of the projects Eiler is involved with in the School of Visual Communication is the "Dawn to Dusk" project, which will capture a day at OU through photographs in honor of the bicentennial.
He said he plans to specialize more classes to create more student-alumni relationships. He said he wants every student to leave the School of Visual Communication with the ability to "communicate their creative talent."
The faculty has made the transition easier, Eiler said.
"When I don't know how to do something, there is someone else on the faculty who has done it before," he said.
"Terry knows the program better than anyone else possibly could," said Sam Girton, assistant professor in the school.
Eiler received his second University Professor Award last year. Undergraduate students give this classroom-teaching award annually to outstanding instructors at OU.
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Amanda Leff
