Tamura to bid farewell to J-School
Search to fill faculty and dean positions continues

By Rachel Cook
J-School Web Reporter           

photo by Will Moss

Professor Teresa Tamura will leave Montana this summer after five years of teaching photography.

In addition to saying goodbye to Dean Jerry Brown, print professor Sharon Barrett and broadcast professor Bill Knowles, the J-School is also preparing to bid farewell to photography professor Teresa Tamura.

After five years teaching at the J-School and one year of "commuter marriage," Tamura is moving to Walla Walla, Wash., to join her husband, Keith Raether, who works at Whitman College. Moving was a hard decision and it will be sad, she said.

"I would like to teach again; I'm just not sure where or when that would happen," Tamura said. While she will miss fellow faculty members, Tamura said she will miss the students more than anything.

"I tell my students, 'Technology changes, but it's the heart, mind and eye of the photographer that's important.’" Tamura said.

Tamura has taught beginning, intermediate and advanced photojournalism, design and Native News. Native News has been her favorite because it offers students real world experience, Tamura said.

"I think [Native News] will be outstanding this year," Tamura said. She has also been fond of watching students cover the groundbreaking of the new journalism building and the Day of the Dead celebration in Missoula, she said.

"I've learned that everyone learns in different ways and that everyone has something to offer," Tamura said

Photojournalism professor Keith Graham noted that Tamura is very student oriented. Though she will be missed, Graham said he applauds Tamura's decision to put her relationship first.

Graham is also chair of the search committee to find replacements for Tamura and Barrett. The committee advertised nationally for the positions. Qualities the committee looked for in applicants included at least 10 years of professional experience at least a master's degree, Graham said.

"We're obviously looking for the highest quality," he said.

The committee has received approximately 46 applicants for both positions and has invited candidates for each position to visit the J-School.

Chad Stevens, a candidate for the photojournalism position, visited campus Feb. 11-13. Stevens met with faculty and taught a class during his visit. Three candidates for the print position have also been invited to visit UM.

"Anybody who's in the ‘yes’ category is still in the running," Graham said. After a candidate is selected, the committee will send its recommendation to Brown. He will then send the recommendation to UM President George Dennison, who is serving as provost, for approval. Then Brown will make a job offer.

The Radio-Television Department had two candidates for Knowles's job, said Ray Ekness, chair of the R-TV search committee and of the R-TV Department. Ray Fanning of Columbia College in Chicago visited Jan. 29-30 and accepted the position earlier this month. There were about two-dozen applicants for the position.

Fanning will teach introduction to mass media, senior level newsroom and a third class that will be determined.

"We're excited to get another person in and look to the future," Ekness said.

Meanwhile, a search for a new dean for the J-School is also under way. The dean search committee is beginning a first review of all applications, said Gerald Fetz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the committee.

Students from the J-School sit on all three search committee. Jacob Baynham, a senior in print journalism, is on the dean search committee. Melanie Overcast, a junior in broadcast news, is on the R-TV committee. Sean Breslin, a junior in print; and Mary Rizos, a second year grad student in photojournalism, are on the search committee for Tamura and Barrett’s replacements.

"I really feel like the students are listened to," Rizos said.  "I really like seeing the faculty at work because they…care about finding the right people for these positions."

Though she and other photo students are sad to see Tamura leave, Rizos said they all support her choice to move.

"She has been an invaluable teacher to us," Rizos said.

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