The search for Iowa State’s new university relations director has been narrowed to six finalists, one of whom will fill the position that has been vacant since 1994.

John Anderson, interim director of university relations at Iowa State, said the new director will oversee three communication departments within the university. These departments include, internal communications, news service and photo service.

The director will also act as Iowa State’s chief spokesperson with the news media.

The director of university relations will have an annual salary of $75,300.

Anderson, who has been at Iowa State since 1980, is a finalist for the position. Anderson has served as interim director of university relations since 1994. He also served as news bureau editor and interim director of WOI-AM/FM radio station.

Another finalist for the position is Rhonda Rathje, manager of customer communications at GTE Telephone Operations since 1980. She also served as the state director of public affairs and area director of communications in Irving, Texas.

Thomas Hutton, director of the office of university relations at the University of Kansas since 1993, is also a candidate. He also worked as a newspaper publisher and a newspaper reporter in Kansas.

The associate chancellor for public affairs at the University of Illinois, John Camper, has worked at the Illinois university since 1990. Previously, he was an editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Barry Johnson, assistant vice president of public relations at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, was previously the director of the office of public affairs at Tennessee Tech University.

The last finalist is John McCarroll, the manager and coordinator of media relations and financial communications for MidAmerican Energy Co. since 1989. In the past, McCarroll worked as an administrative assistant and press secretary to former Iowa governor, Robert Ray.

Each finalist will visit the ISU campus to interview and meet with various university groups. The candidates will also meet with members of the university community and the Ames public during open forums.

Anderson said the forums will provide an “opportunity for the members of the university community to get to know the finalists and ask questions.”

He said the questions will involve news media relations, as well as public relations issues and the handling of university statements. The candidates will also be asked how they would respond to different situations which may arise on campus.

The new director is expected to be announced within the next four weeks. Murray Blackwelder, vice president for external affairs, will choose the new director. Blackwelder could not be reached for comment.

The new university relations director will succeed Cherryl Jensen who left the position in 1994 to serve as the director of university relations at Heritage College in Yakima, Wash.

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Open Forums for University Relations Director Finalists

Thursday, January 23 Rhonda Rathje

Monday, January 27 Thomas Hutton

Wednesday, January 29 John Camper

Friday, January 31 John Anderson

Monday, February 3 Barry Johnson

Wednesday, February 5 John McCarroll

All forums will be held at 4 p.m.

in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union