Following months of interviews and evaluations, a nationally recognized professor of communication has been tapped to become the next dean of the College of Communication.

John Pauly of Saint Louis University signed a contract confirming his acceptance of the position on Tuesday. His appointment will be effective starting July 1.

Pauly's experience as scholar, teacher and administrator, as well as his "national connections," will bode well for the College of Communication's efforts to establish a strong national reputation, according to Provost Madeline Wake, who along with University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild made the decision to select Pauly.

"He was the person of all the candidates that I thought could best lead the College of Communication," Wake said.

Pauly was selected from an initial pool of 24 applicants, according to Lynn Turner, an associate professor of communication studies who headed the search committee to find a new dean.

After reviewing the applications throughout the fall semester, the committee pared down the number of candidates to seven and conducted telephone interviews in December. The five finalists were interviewed on campus at the beginning of this semester, Turner said.

It was clear from the interviews that Pauly was prepared better than anybody else, said Bob Griffin, a journalism professor who was on the search committee.

"He impressed faculty to the extent to which he prepared for the interviews," Griffin said. "He thought carefully about what it meant to come here and work for us."

Wake agreed that Pauly was an "outstanding candidate."

"When all was said and done, Pauly stood out among the others," she said.

The chance to actively contribute to the college's development was one of the reasons Pauly said he chose to accept the position.

Though there are many dean jobs out there, he said, the jobs are not always available when there is an opportunity to "help pull things together" and provide direction for the program.

Pauly also cited Marquette's commitment to its Jesuit tradition as a factor in his decision.

"I wanted to be in a place that worked hard on students' behalf," he said. "Marquette really does a good job" in that regard.

Pauly already has goals set in the College of Communication's efforts to become a nationally recognized program.

Within a few years, he said, "I would like it to be absolutely clear that we're the best Jesuit communication program" in the country. A "big national reputation" can be reached within five to six years.

However, in order to attain this recognition, the college must recognize its advantages and "find its own way" rather than mimic other universities.

Interim Dean Ana Garner, who has known Pauly for many years through their affiliation with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, said Pauly will have a positive effect on the College of Communication.

"He has the qualities of a good dean," she said. "I think people are going to respond well to him.

"He embodies what we're trying to do here."

Garner became interim dean after former College of Communication Dean William Elliott retired last summer. Prior to that, Garner taught courses in the college. She said she did not apply for the dean position because she plans to resume teaching in the fall.