Journalism professor named technology fellow

November 22, 2006

University of Florida Department of Journalism Chair William McKeen joined Bill Clinton, Al Gore and scientists, engineers and Web masters earlier this month in being named a Fellow by the World Technology Network at its San Francisco summit.

The journalism professor’s recent St. Petersburg Times piece on serendipity – which The New York Times ran on its educators’ Web page – caught the technology network’s attention. It adopted his idea for its summit theme and featured him as a speaker.

“My focus was on what elements of serendipity might be lost in an ever-more-technological world,” said McKeen, who is working on three books, including an oral history about Hunter S. Thompson. “Our focus is too much on the destination and not enough on the journey. I also discussed what – and who – might be left behind in a technological world.”

McKeen received a great deal of feedback about his talk from his new colleagues – and some advice, as well. “An MIT physicist gave me a great idea for teaching journalism,” he said.

The summit honors innovators, encouraging them to share ideas and form partnerships.

“Bill provides leadership as the College plays a national and international role in studying the evolution and effects of new communication technologies,” said the college’s interim dean, John Wright.

The College is a national leader in the professional education of future journalists and other communications practitioners. Nationally accredited, it has programs in advertising, print and broadcast journalism, public relations, and telecommunication production and operations, as well as graduate-level programs in science/health communication, documentary, media law, political communication, international communication, and other specialties.