Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism is thinking about dropping "journalism" from its name, according to Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn.
"Careful observers have noted the disappearance of 'journalism' at the school since (John) Lavine was named dean in December 2005 and began an aggressive effort to blend the marketing and journalism curriculum," Zorn wrote in last Thursday's column. "The school stationery, like its Web site, now refers simply to 'Medill,' after namesake 19th century Tribune managing editor and Chicago Mayor Joseph Medill."
Other candidates being considered by a committee appointed by Lavine:
- The Medill School of Audience and Consumer Information
- The Medill School of Media Arts and Sciences
- The Medill School of Information and Influence
The committee is supposed to come up with a new name by April.
Zorn's readers offered some suggestions of their own this week, among them:
- Chicago Reader blogger Whet Moser proposed "The Ministry of Information at Northwestern University."
- "Grad 74" offered "Northwestern University School of Spin, Puffery, and Propaganda."
- "Austin Mayor" nominated "Northwestern University's Stephen Colbert School for Truthiness."
- And "Spector" had a tried and not-so-true idea for renaming a venerated institution: "Macy's."
Do you have a suggestion for Medill's new name? Post it here.
