'IDS' interim publisher, editor in chief announced

Nancy Comiskey, a senior editor at The Indianapolis Star, was named as interim IDS publisher Tuesday. Current publisher David Adams made the announcement at the newspaper's Publications Board meeting. The Publications Board, composed of three professional journalists, three students and faculty members, later chose senior Christina Jewett as the spring IDS editor in chief.\nComiskey, who has been an editor at The Indianapolis Star for the past 10 years, is currently assistant managing editor for features at the paper. Comiskey is an alumnus and a former IDS staff member.\n"I want to build on what the staff this semester has already accomplished," Comiskey said. "I want to face the challenges that come our way, and I look forward to working with Christina. A big part of my job will be getting to know everyone and getting to know how things work around the newsroom."\nComiskey said she looks forward to working with developing writers, a role she has filled before.\n"When I first came to The Star, I was the writing coach, so I have some experience working with young journalists," Comiskey said. \nComiskey said starting a semester with a new editor and a new publisher won't be a problem.\n"I think we'll both have to find our way," she said. "We'll have to take it slowly. I came from a professional newsroom, and in this role I'll be much more advisory."\nTrevor Brown, dean of the School of Journalism and a member of the Publications Board, said the change shouldn't have any effect on the work of the newspaper. \n"(The IDS) is an enterprise that's been in existence since 1867. It has a very, very strong tradition," he said. "It's very capable of withstanding change. There are many students who work semester to semester. I don't have any concern."\nAdams, who has been IDS publisher for 13 years, is taking a yearlong leave of absence to teach at Hawaii-Pacific University. He will work with graduate students and international students in the communications field. \nAdams said he feels confident leaving Comiskey in charge.\n"I think she brings a wealth of news editorial management experience," Adams said. "She just seems very capable and very confident. To come on a job where you're filling in on a temporary basis is always a challenge, but she has lots of experience." \nJewett, now the IDS general assignments editor, and senior Michael Eisenstadt, current managing editor, each answered a series of questions from the Publications Board and the audience before the panel voted to select the editor in chief for next semester. The panel deliberated for an hour before choosing Jewett.\n"I'm excited. There's a lot of pressure that comes along with 100-odd years of history," Jewett said. "I'm very excited to see what kinds of positive changes I can make. It's going to be a lot of pressure, but it's going to be a lot of fun"