Though the total number of NIU journalism faculty members has dwindled, student concerns could be unfounded.

In December, two journalism professors, Dale Zacher and wife Yu-Li Chang-Zacher, left NIU. A third professor will leave at the end of the summer semester.

Though the Department of Communication, in which the journalism area is included, is in the midst of turnover, it is not in trouble, said Steven Ralston, chair and professor of communication.

“Some might say the ship is sinking,” Ralston said. “No, the ship is being refitted.”

One candidate has been interviewed already, with two more interviews scheduled for next week, Ralston said.

Associate professor Brian Thornton received a job offer from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville last week, which he accepted. Thornton, an avid surfer, decided to take the opportunity to be an assistant professor in Florida based on a lifestyle choice, as opposed to a decision against the program at NIU. Thornton has taught at NIU since 1999 and was on track to be a full professor, he said.

In defense of the department, each case of professors leaving, viewed individually, shows that all three left coincidentally, and not because of problems with the journalism program, Ralston said.

Ralston thinks the program will be stronger following the transition phase, and that the opportunity will allow the department to change its focus toward emerging technology with new faculty and new ideas, he said.