Lugar aide chosen as new media director

After a two-month search, Larry MacIntyre has been named as the new director of public communications at IU. He will begin the new position Sept. 7.\n"The breadth of his experience in journalism is amazing," said Bill Stephan, vice president for university relations and corporate partnerships. "He had significant experiences as a reporter. His skills, experiences and background all relate directly to the kinds of things we are looking for."\nAccording to a statement released by the University, MacIntyre most recently worked in Washington D.C., as an aide to Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., but also spent 25 years working in newspapers in Michigan and Indiana, including 14 years at The Indianapolis Star.\n"He knows Indiana and Indiana politics," said Perry Metz, a member of the director selection committee. "That context and background will be very helpful."\nMetz said there were six candidates from the original field of 40 who were qualified for the position, but MacIntyre's experience and knowledge of Indiana made him stick out.\n"He has such a strong print background and has spent so many years in the state that I think he has the personality to deal with both everyday things and personal crises," Metz said.\nAs director of public communications, MacIntyre will report to Stephan, serve as the primary spokesperson for IU President Adam Herbert and consult on a variety of public and media relations issues, including management and crisis communications.\nStephan said he knew of MacIntyre's reputation and his strong strategic approach when working.\n"We don't have a large media relations operation," Stephan said. "We are relatively small, and you have to work strategically to be effective. Larry will really work to help advance Indiana University's interest."\nThe position opened up after former Director Jane Jankowski left IU in May to work at a sports publishing company, according to a May 17 article in the Indiana Daily Student.\n-- Contact senior writer Kathleen Quilligan at kquillig@indiana.edu.