One of the former directors of the University’s Manship School of Mass Communication died earlier this week. William Giles, 80, died Tuesday of heart failure at his home in London, Ky., according to the Advocate. Giles was the Manship School’s director from 1987 to 1991. Giles’ biggest contribution to the University was separating the mass communication school from the College of Arts and Sciences. “[Giles] made a very strong case – when he was director for the school – being made an independent, college-level unit separate from the arts and sciences,” said John Hamilton, dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication. Prior to coming to the University, Giles worked for newspapers such as Wall Street Journal, Detroit News, National Observer and other publications, according to the Advocate. After leaving the University, Giles taught journalism and public affairs at Southern University and was the managing editor of the Washington Times. “He was a very fine journalist,” Hamilton said. Giles was inducted into the Manship School’s Hall of Fame in 1994. “He was here at a time when his leadership made a big difference,” said Laura Lindsay, Manship school professor. “We’re grateful for the prestige that he brought to the institution to make it a great college.”
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