Lee Leaving Hall Institute

Written by Hall Institute Press Office

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(TRENTON) - Hall Institute Communications Director Richard Lee is leaving the institute to accept a position teaching journalism at Saint Bonaventure University.

“Playing a role in the creation and growth of the Hall Institute has been an extremely rewarding experience on both a professional and a personal level,” Lee said. “Now that the institute is firmly established as a leading voice on public policy issues, I am looking forward to embarking on a new challenge.”

The teaching position provides Lee with an opportunity to return to Saint Bonaventure, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1975. The school is located in western New York near the city of Olean.

Lee has been teaching on a part-time basis at Rutgers University, where he is completing work on a Ph.D. in media studies. At Rutgers, he has taught courses in media, government and politics. Last summer he was a visiting professor at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. He also has taught at Mercer County Community College.

“My work at the Hall Institute and my research at Rutgers have focused on media issues and the importance of quality journalism,” Lee said. “Perhaps the best way for me to foster quality journalism is to train the next generation of journalists.”

Lee has served as the Hall Institute’s communication director since its inception in 2005. Prior to joining the think tank, he was a deputy communications director in the New Jersey Governor’s Office. He also has worked as a State House reporter and in communication positions for the New Jersey General Assembly and Woodbridge Township.

"Richard was critical in defining and refining the institute and where it should go," said Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards. "The importance of the media in a mass democracy was always his concern --  both here and in his long and distinguished career. Like Thomas Jefferson he knew people could not be ignorant and free."

Lee plans to continue his work with the Hall Institute through the summer before leaving to begin teaching at Saint Bonaventure in the fall semester.

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