Mass Comm dean leaves

Anantha Babbili, dean of the College of Mass Communication, announced his departure from MTSU Wednesday afternoon during a meeting with college faculty.

Babbili received notification from Texas A&M University on Tuesday evening that he had been selected as the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at the university. He will start his new position on Oct. 1.

"Leaving is really hard, personally," Babbili said. "There are so many wonderful faculty and students at this university, and it really has become like a family."

During his speech to the college's faculty, Babbili spoke about the success of the school and the dedication of its staff.

"We have an amazing faculty of teachers who are strongly dedicated to the academic excellence," Babbili said. "I know that this tradition will continue far into the future."

Babbili has served as dean for the College of Mass Communication for the past five years.

"Leadership isn't about following my own vision, but working with the key players towards a shared goal," Babbili said.

At the meeting, Kaylene Gebert, executive vice president and provost at MTSU, said the university will immediately start the search for a new dean.

"It will be hard to find someone close to the same caliber as Dean Babbili," Gebert said.

In the absence of Babbili, John Omachonu, associate dean of the College of Mass Communication, will become interim dean.

"He will be missed," Omachonu said. "He is a very warm and friendly person and his strong leadership laid a solid foundation for the school. We can only continue to go up."

According to Omachonu, the academic master plan that Babbili followed for the college mirrors the university's plan.

"Like MTSU, the College of Mass Communication stresses academic quality, student centeredness and strategic partnerships," Omachonu said. "Quality will continue to be strengthened."

Omachonu said he is applying for the position of dean as soon as the position is posted.