Newhouse School of Public Communications

History

Early years

The Department of Journalism was established at Syracuse University in 1919 as a part of the College of Business Administration. The Theta Sigma Phi (ΘΣΦ) journalism sorority was established in 1920. SU produced a radio show over WSYR-FM in 1932 and the production studio was housed in the Crouse College.

Formation of the School of Journalism

The department became a separate School of Journalism in 1934, with Matthew Lyle Spencer serving as the founding dean. The new school was housed in the Yates Castle (Renwick Castle) from 1934 until the buildings demolition in 1954. The school was moved into the Old Gym from 1953 until that building was razed in 1965.

In 1932, Syracuse University became the first university in the nation to offer a college credit radio course. In 1947, SU launched WAER, one of the nation's first college radio stations. With the emergence of television, SU was the first to offer instruction in the field in 1956.

Construction of the Newhouse Complex

In 1964, supported by a $15 million gift from Samuel Irving "S. I." Newhouse Jr., the Newhouse Communications Complex was officially inaugurated in Newhouse 1, an award-winning building designed by architect I. M. Pei, which housed the School of Journalism. The building was dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who delivered his famous "Gulf of Tonkin Speech" on the Newhouse Plaza.

In 1971, the School of Journalism merged with the Department of Television-Radio and was renamed the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A second building, Newhouse 2, was dedicated in 1974 with a keynote address by William S. Paley, chairman of the board of CBS. It cost $7.2 million to build.

In 2003, the Newhouse School received a $15 million gift from the S. I. Newhouse Foundation and the Newhouse family to fund the construction of the third building in the Newhouse Communications Complex. The $31.6 million 74000 sqft modern structure, designed by the former Polshek Partnership, features the First Amendment etched in six-foot-high letters on its curving glass windows. Newhouse 3 was dedicated on September 19, 2007, with a keynote address from the Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts.

In September 2014, the school completed an $18 million renovation of the Newhouse 2 building, creating the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center, which features Dick Clark Studios, the Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation and the Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center. Oprah Winfrey attended and spoke at the dedication ceremony.

In January 2020, Donald E. Newhouse donated $75 million to the School through the Newhouse Foundation.

Deans of the Newhouse School of Public Communications

1. 1934–1950 Matthew Lyle Spencer
2. 1950–1972 Wesley Clark
3. 1972–1980 Henry Schulte
4. 1980–1989 Edward Stephens
5. 1989–1990 Lawrence Myers Jr.
6. 1990–2008 David Rubin
7. 2008–2019 Lorraine Branham
8. 2019–2020 Amy Falkner (interim)
9. 2020– Mark J. Lodato

Notable Newhouse alumni

The Newhouse School is known for its notable alumni in sports broadcasting and other fields, including:

• Marv Albert, sportscaster, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, TNT Sports, MSG Networks, YES Network
• Lylah M. Alphonse, former managing editor, U.S. News & World Report; currently Editor of Globe Rhode Island and Globe New Hampshire at The Boston Globe.
• Michael Barkann, host/reporter, Comcast SportsNet and USA Network
• Richard Benedetto, retired White House Correspondent and Columnist, USA Today; Political Columnist, Gannett News Service
• Jason Benetti, sportscaster, Fox Sports, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, formerly ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago
• Matthew Berkowitz, filmmaker
• Len Berman, Former Sportcaster (NBC Sports)
• Carter Blackburn, sportscaster, CBS Sports
• Paul Bouche, Emmy Award-Winning TV Host and Producer A Oscuras Pero Encendidos
• Contessa Brewer, journalist for MSNBC
• Kevin Brown, sportscaster, ESPN, MASN
• Steve Bunin, sportscaster, ESPN
• Ryan Burr, sportscaster, ESPN
• Tony Caridi, sportscaster
• Craig Carton, sportscaster, WFAN
• Joe Castiglione, sportscaster, WEEI
• Michael Cole, sportscaster, WWE
• Bob Costas, sportscaster, NBC Sports, TNT Sports, and MLB Network
• Dennis Crowley, co-founder, Foursquare
• Andrew Catalon, sportscaster, CBS Sports, formerly NBC Sports
• Eric Collins, sportscaster, Fox Sports and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
• Shanti Das, owner, PressReset Me LLC
• Matt Dery, sportscaster
• Ian Eagle, broadcaster, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, YES Network, and Amazon Prime
• Noah Eagle, broadcaster, NBC Sports. Ian Eagle's son
• Ahmed Fareed, sportscaster, NBC Sports
• Dave Flemming, sportscaster, ESPN/ABC, KNBR
• Brian Frons, former president, ABC Daytime
• Steve Gelbs, sportscaster, SNY
• Steve Goldstein, sportscaster
• Jeff Glor, anchor, CBS Evening News
• Hank Greenwald, sportscaster (deceased)
• Dan Gurewitch, Emmy Award-winning television writer, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• Eric Gurian, president, Little Stranger Productions
• Scott Hanson, sportscaster, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
• Ariel Helwani, MMA journalist
• Jim Henderson, sportscaster
• Deborah Henretta, senior advisor, SSA & Company; retired group president, Procter & Gamble
• Dan Hoard, sportscaster, WLW
• Larry Hryb, director of programming, Xbox Live (Microsoft)
• Dave Jageler, sportscaster
• T.J. Jagodowski, comedian, actor and improvisor
• Weijia Jiang, senior White House correspondent, CBS News
• Todd Kalas, sportscaster, Space City Home Network
• Marc Kestecher, sportscaster, ESPN Radio
• Roula Khalaf, first female editor of Financial Times
• Larry S. Kramer, former president of USA Today & Gannett, and current president of TheStreet.com
• Steve Kroft, correspondent, "60 Minutes" (CBS)
• Adam Lefkoe, sportscaster, TNT
• Chris Licht, former chairman and CEO, CNN
• Sean McDonough, broadcaster, ESPN/ABC, Red Sox Radio Network
• Liam McHugh, sportscaster, TNT, formerly NBC Sports
• Joe McNally, photographer
• John Miller, television executive
• Will Murray, producer, The Howard Stern Show
• Jeanne Moos, national news correspondent, CNN
• Jim Morris, general manager and executive vice president of production, Pixar
• John Murphy, sportscaster
• Andy Musser, sportscaster (deceased)
• Diane Nelson, former president, DC Entertainment
• Dave O'Brien, sportscaster, ESPN, NESN
• Stanley J. Orzel, Writer/Director
• Greg Papa, sportscaster
• Dave Pasch, sportscaster, ESPN/ABC
• Jeff Passan, sports columnist, ESPN/ABC
• Scott Pioli, NFL executive, sports analyst and broadcaster
• Cory Provus, sportscaster, FOX Sports, TwinsTV
• Philip Quartararo, president, Filament Entertainment; former president, Warner Music Group (deceased)
• Doug Robinson, founder, DRP Doug Robinson Productions
• Bill Roth, sports broadcaster
• Dave Ryan, sportscaster, CBS Sports
• Erin Ryder, co-host, Destination Truth
• Maria Sansone, co-host, Good Day LA
• Eli Saslow, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, The Washington Post
• Adam Schein, anchor, CBS Sports, SportsNet New York (SNY)
• Anish Shroff, sportscaster, ESPN/ABC, Carolina Panthers Radio Network
• Andrew Siciliano, sportscaster, NFL Network, Cleveland Browns Radio Network
• Fred Silverman, president, The Fred Silverman Company (deceased)
• Lakshmi Singh, midday newscaster, NPR
• Bill Spaulding, sportscaster, MSG Network (MSG)
• Dick Stockton, sportscaster, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and TNT Sports
• John Sykes, president, Entertainment Enterprises, iHeartMedia
• Mark Tinker, Emmy Award-winning television director, NYPD Blue and Deadwood
• Mike Tirico, sportscaster, NBC Sports, formerly of ESPN/ABC
• Robin Toner, first female political correspondent for The New York Times
• Stephen Wilkes, photographer
• Nick Wright, sports personality, FOX Sports
• Adam Zucker, sportscaster, CBS Sports

References

References

1. Marc, David. (Fall 2003). "Advancing the Vision: Next Generation Communications – Newhouse expansion project will broaden student opportunities and enhance expertise in new technologies". Syracuse University.
2. "Newhouse Facts". S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
3. (23 March 2020). "Syracuse University's Newhouse journalism school appoints new dean". syracuse.com.
4. "History". S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
5. (5 April 1934). "Syracuse Wonderful Site for Journalism School, Dean Avers". [[The Ithaca Journal]].
6. (14 May 1920). "Journalism Sorority has a large program". University Daily Kansan.
7. (27 April 1959). "SU Journalism School Celebrates 25th Year". [[The Post-Standard]].
8. (February 25, 1934). "Syracuse to Open School of Journalism; University Obtains Dr. Spencer as Dean". [[New York Times]].
9. (25 October 2017). "Syracuse University's spookiest story? Human remains may be stored in a wall in Newhouse 1.". The Daily Orange.
10. (19 April 1959). "Paintings Of Clearwater Artists To Be Presented To Syracuse School". [[Tampa Bay Times]].
11. "University Archives". Syracuse University Libraries.
12. (April 20, 2020). "History from OHA: Yates Castle-Syracuse University's Very Own Manor". [[Central New York Business Journal]].
13. (1 March 1951). "News Notes". [[Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly.
14. (24 March 2021). "Looking back at Syracuse University's founding and the creation of Orange basketball". [[The Post-Standard]].
15. (December 7, 1947). "Syracuse's Infant FM Radio Industry Rapidly Growing into Lusty Giant". [[The Post-Standard]].
16. (April 9, 1955). "Radio Station Offering Good Music Listed". [[The Post-Standard]].
17. "History".
18. (5 June 1971). "Separate School: Newhouse Unit Formed at SU". The Post-Standard.
19. (2014). "1964: Newhouse 1 dedicated". Syracuse University.
20. (2016-08-05). "President Johnson Delivers Gulf of Tonkin Speech, Dedicates Newhouse School".
21. (12 June 1971). "New Chancellor Spearheads Syracuse Journalism School". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News, Wilkes-Barre Record.
22. (May 31, 1974). "Newhouse II dedication this Morning". The Post-Standard.
23. "Newhouse 2 dedicated: Newhouse50".
24. (31 May 1974). "It began in 1932 for TV-Radio at SU". The Post-Standard.
25. Mortice, Zach. (March 14, 2008). "Journalism 3.0—By Polshek Partnership: The third building in the Newhouse School of Public Communications takes it into a world of collapsing boundaries and converging media". AIArchitect.
26. "Newhouse 3 dedicated: Newhouse50".
27. Loughlin, Wendy S.. (Fall 2007). "Newhouse III: Building the Future of Public Communications". Syracuse University.
28. "Newhouse Studio & Innovation Center". S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
29. Kulkus, Emily. (September 29, 2014). "Newhouse School dedicates Studio & Innovation Center with Oprah Winfrey". S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
30. (13 January 2020). "Newhouse Foundation Announces Intention to Pledge $75 Million to Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications".
31. (14 January 2020). "Syracuse University to Receive Record Donation".
32. "History".
33. (23 March 2020). "Mark J. Lodato Named Dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications".
34. gherbert@syracuse.com, Geoff Herbert {{!}}. (2021-03-19). "The 101 most famous Syracuse University alumni: Who bleeds Orange?".
35. dtobin@syracuse.com, Dave Tobin {{!}}. (2014-09-27). "Media leaders among SU Newhouse School's prominent alumni".
36. Hamilton, Daniel. (2018-12-31). "Syracuse dominates the sports broadcast landscape; From the who's who today to the who's who tomorrow".
37. "Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University".
38. "Where 20 Famous Journalists Went to College".
39. Loughlin, Wendy S.. (2014-07-16). "Newhouse to Honor Marv Albert ’63 with Second Annual Marty Glickman Award".
40. https://www.bostonglobe.com/about/staff-list/staff/lylah-alphonse/
41. "Philly Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Michael Barkann".
42. "Richard Benedetto".
43. Staff, News. (2016-02-18). "Newhouse Alumnus Tapped to Call Hometown Team, Chicago White Sox, for ESPN".
44. "Kidscreen Summit 2026 - Matthew Berkowitz".
45. Loughlin, Wendy S.. (2014-02-05). "ESPN’s Carter Blackburn ’01 to Visit Newhouse Feb. 10".
46. "TEAM - Astracanada Productions Inc.".
47. Staff, News. (2009-06-03). "Presenters, emcee announced for Mirror Awards ceremony June 9".
48. "Kevin Brown".
49. "Ryan Burr Agent {{!}} Speaker Fee {{!}} Booking Contact".
50. Boccacino, John. (2023-12-08). "Joe Castiglione G’70 Honored as 2024 Ford C. Frick Recipient for Excellence in Baseball Broadcasting".
51. "Paramount Press Express {{!}} CBS Sports {{!}} COLLEGE BASKETBALL {{!}} Talent".
52. (2025-07-15). "Alumni in Action-July 15, 2025 {{!}} St. Lawrence University".
53. DeMarchi, Jennifer. (2021-04-07). "Alumni Provide Support to WAER Students at the NCAA Tournament".
54. "Ahmed Fareed".
55. "Giants Broadcasters {{!}} San Francisco Giants".
56. "NFL.com {{!}} Official Site of the National Football League".
57. "Broadcasters {{!}} Houston Astros".
58. (20 February 2011). "40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE: Kramer: Defiance of oversight merges papers, creates independent DO". The Daily Orange.
59. "Red Sox Broadcasters {{!}} Boston Red Sox".
60. "Advisory Board: John Douglas Miller". S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at [[Syracuse University]].
61. "Twins Broadcasters {{!}} Minnesota Twins".
62. "Carolina Panthers".
63. "Cleveland Browns".