University of Missouri President Elson S. Floyd has appointed veteran Associated Press journalist Scott Charton to serve as Director of University Communications. This reorganizes and consolidates the department formerly known as University Relations, as well as marketing and Web services. These functions will now include the University’s Web-based communications, print and electronic media relations, television and radio production, publications, and national and international marketing.
Charton, 44, has spent 22 years as a journalist for The Associated Press and has been on sabbatical from the AP since April of this year. He has worked on certain outside projects during his sabbatical, including communications consulting for the University of Missouri.
“I am extremely happy that Scott is bringing his vast media experience and knowledge of this state to lead the reorganization and consolidation of our University communications.” Floyd said today. “Scott has worked directly with me during his time at the University, and I have found his counsel invaluable as we have traveled together listening to Missourians.”
Charton’s tenure at the AP, the world’s largest news organization, included six years in the Little Rock bureau and a dozen years as correspondent in charge of the Missouri Statehouse bureau in Jefferson City. In 2000, the AP created for Charton the role of Roving Missouri Correspondent, with the entire state as his beat.
“I am honored to accept President Floyd’s invitation to lead the reorganization and consolidation of University Communications,” Charton said. “I am impressed with President Floyd’s enduring commitment to accountability and openness in serving Missourians and adding value to University of Missouri degrees.”
During his years as a front-line reporter, Charton’s responsibilities with the AP also included leading coverage across print, broadcast and Web-based media and in nurturing the AP’s’ relationships with its newspaper and broadcast members.
“Scott has been a great newsman for us and I know I speak for his colleagues at AP and newspaper editors throughout Missouri in wishing him well in his new endeavor,” said Randy Picht, AP’s chief of bureau for Missouri and Kansas. “Whenever you saw the Scott Charton byline you could always count on reading an article that was accurate, fair and well-written. We’ll miss his efforts.”
Charton begins his new position Sept. 16, 2005. He had previously served as a consultant to the University of Missouri. The consulting relationship ended Sept. 15, 2005.
Reviewed 2013-05-16