Making News

“A story of conflict and tension about the school’s mission, a study in leadership, and, indirectly, a history of the changes in the way the mass media communicates with the public.” — D.G. Martin, The Chapel Hill News

“Bowers offers no puffery but rather a balanced study that chronicles the spats and intrigue that mark so many organizations. . . . This thoroughly researched, informative, and graceful book will appeal not only to North Carolinians and UNC alumni but also to those with an abiding interest in the fourth estate.” — Journal of Southern History

“Tom Bowers captures the fascinating journey of an idea born in the creative mind of an English scholar to the number-one ranking among its academic and professional peers. The University of North Carolina is anchored in academic freedom; the freedom of the press nourishes that freedom. These pages make clear that the strength and well being of the commonwealth flow directly from the vitality of that relationship. You will profit greatly from this very unusual story.” — William C. Friday, president emeritus, University of North Carolina

“Tom Bowers' extensive history of journalism instruction at the University of North Carolina tells the fascinating story of how journalism has been important to the university and the state since Edward Kidder Graham taught the first journalism course in 1909. From that humble beginning, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Carolina has earned a reputation for excellence throughout the world. Based on an exhaustive examination of newspapers, university catalogs, archives, personal papers and interviews, Bowers has woven a story of how strong leaders shaped the journalism program to the demands of the times. He also reveals how newspaper executives influenced the journalism program and even threatened to ask Duke University to start a journalism program if UNC did not care to improve its own. This is also the story of strong and colorful personalities including Louis Graves, 'Skipper' Coffin, Holt McPherson, Walter Spearman, Neil Luxon, Jack Adams, Richard Cole, Jim Shumaker and Chuck Stone, who earned the respect of thousands of students and shaped the school.” — Erskine Bowles, President of the University of North Carolina