Comiskey named interim student media director

In the trying times following the death of Dave Adams, longtime director of student media, the Indiana Daily Student has announced veteran journalist and IU visiting professor Nancy Comiskey as interim director of student media. \nIn her new position, Comiskey will act as the key adviser and publisher of the IDS and Arbutus yearbook. The former Indianapolis Star managing editor is no stranger to advising student media. From January 2002 until May 2003, Comiskey served in the same role when Adams went on sabbatical to teach in Hawaii. \nComiskey, a 1974 IU graduate and former IDS staffer worked at the Indianapolis Star and News for 14 years before her IU professorship. She was also an editor at Indianapolis Magazine . \n“Dave was a personal friend of mine,” Comiskey said. “He was a great man – such an advocate for student journalists. I am one of the many people who has benefitted from his kindness over the years.”\nShortly before his unexpected death June 2 , Adams wrote: “We have been so blessed by Nancy’s presence in Ernie Pyle Hall the past five years. She remains a dear friend to our students and our program.”\nComiskey described her passion for the newsroom. \n“I’ve always loved the energy in the newsroom,” she said. “As much as I enjoy teaching, that’s something I’ve missed. I’m glad to be back.”\nComiskey said that unlike the managerial role she held at the Indianapolis Star, her role as student media director is to function as a “sounding board” for student journalists.\nSenior Trevor Brown, IDS editor-in-chief, said Adams’ death would leave “a big hole that will be hard to replace.” But Brown expressed confidence in Comiskey’s ability to successfully work with the IDS staff.\n“(Comiskey) will be very personable, very open to people because that’s what she has done as a faculty member here,” Brown said. “A large number of staff already knows her and feels comfortable with her.” \nAdams was discovered unresponsive in a backyard pond at his Bloomington home. His death was later ruled an accidental drowning. His partner, Chunming Chou, said the two had been drinking alcohol earlier in the night and that he thought Adams had been drinking too much, according to the police report. \nBonnie Brownlee , associate dean for undergraduate studies at the School of Journalism, said she was “optimistic” about the upcoming search for a permanent director. She said an ideal candidate would be someone who, among other qualities, cares about students and First Amendment issues while sharing Adams’ business savvy. \nComiskey will serve as the student media’s interim director through the spring semester. By then, the search committee intends to have selected Adams’ permanent replacement. That committee has already formed and plans to hold its first meeting Aug. 31.