Dr. Olaf Hoerschelmann, author of a 2006 book on quiz shows in American culture, has been named the new director of the School of Mass Communication at UALR.

Before joining UALR in July, Hoerschelmann was the graduate program coordinator for the Department of Communication Studies at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill.

“The faculty in the School of Mass Communication are highly dedicated and have created excellent educational experiences for our students,” he said. “In the future, I want to build on the past successes of the students and faculty and review and improve our programs to keep up with the fast-moving field of mass communication.”

Hoerschelmann, author of “Rules of the Game: Quiz Shows in American Culture,” earned a Ph.D. in mass communication from Indiana University, an M.A. in communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of Tubingen in his native Germany.

“I hope that the School of Mass Communication will continue to offer cutting edge programs that attract students from across and beyond the state of Arkansas,” he said.

He succeeds former director Dr. Jamie Byrne, now interim dean of the College of Professional Studies.