Cal State Fullerton Communications Educator Dies

James Alexander Created News-Editorial Sequence, Internship Program

April 7, 2009 :: No. 165

James Alexander

James Alexander, emeritus professor of communications and the first full-time faculty member in Cal State Fullerton’s Department of Communications, died April 2 of pneumonia. The Fullerton resident was 83 years old.

Alexander was an instructor at Glendale Junior College when he accepted a position teaching journalism at Cal State Fullerton in 1960, joining the J. William Maxwell, who became the founding chair of the journalism program when it emerged from the English Department.

Soon after his arrival, he was pressed into service as acting chair of the department when Maxwell was awarded a Fulbright to Peru. A year later, in 1961, Alexander became the adviser to the new student-run newspaper that became the Daily Titan. It was but one of many hats that he wore during his 31 years on campus.

“Jim had a major impact on the development of the department and never lost interest in it. … After his retirement, he continued to support the department and offered advice on a regular basis right up to the end,” said Rick Pullen, dean of the College of Communications, who called Alexander his mentor. “He was a special friend who cared about me, as well as the department. He had a major impact on my life.”

The former journalist was involved in the development of the Communications Department and the creation of the news-editorial sequence that he headed for several years. In 1965, Alexander launched the department’s internship program, which became the largest such program in the nation during the 1980s. He also served as coordinator of the graduate program, and was founding adviser and organizer of the Women in Communications student chapter begun in 1970.

“He had a passion for Cal State Fullerton and the Department of Communications and worked tirelessly to make sure the program was on the cutting edge of communications education. He kept an eye on the department even in retirement,” said Tony Fellow, chair and professor of communications. Alexander chaired Fellow’s dissertation committee and asked Fellow to return as a lecturer while he was a full-time newspaper reporter. “I had tremendous respect for Jim and will remember him fondly and credit him for many of my successes.”

During his teaching career at Cal State Fullerton, Alexander taught reporting and writing, copy editing and makeup and journalism education. He authored numerous articles, as well as books, including “Internships in Communications” and its accompanying “Guide of Instructors” published in 1995 by Iowa State University Press.

His dedication to his field was evident and recognized.

In 1970, the Journalism Education Association honored Alexander with its Carl Towley Award for service to high school journalism. Alexander, who had taught at California High School in Whittier and Roosevelt High School in Fresno, also led summer workshops for high school journalism instructors with funding from the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and established an annual high school editors workshop to bring outstanding students to campus each summer.

The California Newspaper Publishers Association recognized Alexander in 1975 as the state’s most outstanding teacher of journalism in four-year institutions of higher learning.

The Communications Department has honored the veteran faculty member twice. In 1992, the Communications Department hosted “An Evening Honoring Jim Alexander,” a reception and dinner featuring tributes from campus leaders, department peers and friends. Eight years later, the Daily Titan newsroom was named in recognition of Alexander’s “outstanding service to journalism in the Department of Communications.” More than 150 former Daily Titan staff members joined in the celebration.

“Jim recruited me to the department during a Journalism Education Association convention in Chicago,” remembers Caroline E. Johnson, emeritus associate professor of communications. “So I’m forever grateful to Jim for stepping into my life. I’ll remember him as a tireless trooper for the department, the designer of the finest communications internship program of any university in the country, and a witty colleague and friend. He was a very special asset to the department.”

In addition to the contributions he made in time, support and expertise, Alexander was recognized as a campus benefactor during the inaugural Legends & Legacies gala held in 2007.

Alexander earned his doctorate in education/journalism in 1966 from UCLA, in addition to a master’s in education and a bachelor’s degree in history, both from the University of Southern California.

He is survived by his daughters, Laurel and Kim. His wife, Ilo, preceded him in death. Funeral services are private, a campus memorial service will be held from 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, April 21, in the James P. Alexander Newsroom, Room 670 of the College Park Building. For more information, call the College of Communications at 657-278-3355.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Alexander’s name may be made to the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation. The memo section of the check should reference the Jim Alexander Communications Scholarship Fund. Checks may be sent to the CSUF Philanthropic Foundation, 2600 E. Nutwood Ave., Suite 850, Fullerton, CA 92831.

Photo: Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contact:
Pamela McLaren, Public Affairs, 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu

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