Jandoli Institute named after university's journalism department founder and mentor to generations of aspiring journalists

A new research center in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University will focus on the intersection of media and democracy.

The Jandoli Institute will explore today’s media landscape through research studies, op-ed articles, social media, speaking engagements, commentary, analysis and other platforms. Dr. Richard Lee, an associate professor in the Jandoli School, will serve as the institute’s executive director.

“The growth of the internet and social media have radically altered the manner in which news and information are gathered, reported and consumed,” Lee said. “Because a healthy democracy requires a healthy media, it is important to identify and explore ways to ensure that the media continues to play a constructive role in our nation’s democracy.”

The Jandoli Institute website features articles from Jandoli School faculty, alumni and students, as well as contributions from scholars outside the St. Bonaventure community. The institute will take part in several activities during the fall, including radio programs, workshops and Twitter chats. The institute also will co-sponsor an Oct. 22 debate between the candidates for New York’s 57th District State Senate seat.

“I am excited about the Jandoli Institute and how it will help people understand the important issues facing our democracy and the media’s relationship with them,” said Aaron Chimbel, dean of the Jandoli School. “Dr. Lee’s passion and expertise in this area will make the Jandoli Institute an important voice at an important time, infused with Russell Jandoli’s best ideals of thoughtful discourse.”

Lee developed the institute during his sabbatical in the 2018-19 academic year. He modeled it after the Hall Institute for Public Policy, a research center he helped to establish and operate in New Jersey prior to joining the Jandoli School faculty in 2011.

Lee has extensive media and public policy experience. He covered government and politics in New Jersey and held several government communication positions, including deputy director of communication for two New Jersey governors.

The Jandoli School celebrated the establishment of the institute on Thursday with a kickoff reception in the school’s First Amendment Lounge.

Dr. Russell J. Jandoli, who worked as a reporter for Time magazine and served as editor of publications at the War Department in Washington, D.C., founded the Department of Journalism at St. Bonaventure in 1949 and ran it for 34 years. Jandoli taught generations of aspiring journalists the tenets of good writing and instilled respect and admiration for the practice of journalism.

For more information about the Jandoli Institute, visit the institute website at https://jandoliinstitute.wordpress.com/ or email jandoli@sbu.edu.