William H. Melson

Students of today’s College of Communication and Information Sciences owe a great deal to former dean of the College William H. “Bill” Melson. During the years he served as dean, 1976-1983, his professionalism, leadership and devotion to education laid the groundwork for the College as it is today.

Since its inception in 1973, the College has grown to be one of the top 10 largest programs in the country, with enrollment growing from 275 to more than 2,300 students. It’s home to nationally and internationally recognized faculty, and its facilities for teaching and research in broadcast, graphics, print, communication performance and new technology are among the best in the nation. “Bill is the architect of the current College of Communication and Information Sciences, a national powerhouse in all aspects of academic and professional communication,” said Dr. Ed Mullins, retired journalism professor and former dean of the College. “Under him, C&IS became a first tier school and has remained so ever since.”

Melson, a native of North Carolina who received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, entered the world of communications early with part-time announcing positions in radio broadcasting in his home state. After graduating from college, he gained various and valuable experience as a radio production manager, program supervisor, sales representative, personnel manager and assistant vice president at station WBT in Charlotte, N.C.

For many people, this would constitute an entire career, but in 1965 Melson returned to UNC for a master’s in communication and doctorate in social psychology, entering the world of academia, where he would continue to thrive. He joined the faculty of the UNC department of radio, television and motion pictures in 1969, rising to full professor in 1974, and he taught in the North Carolina High School Radio-TV Institute 1969-74, directing the institute in 1969 and 1975. With additional experience as assistant dean of the UNC Graduate School, and as chairman of the UNC radio, television and motion pictures department, Melson was well prepared to take on the challenges of being only the second permanent dean, and the first to serve for any length of time, in the College of Communication.

In 1977-78 Dean Melson led the way for the program to regain Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication accreditation. He adopted hiring standards for the College higher than those of the University in general at that time. As Melson’s friend Skip Hinton put it, “He had an absolute determination to build both the ethics and the operating standards of a strong academic unit. It was not an easy thing to do. . . . He had a determination to get things done right.” He oversaw the renovation of the main wing of what is now known as Reese Phifer Hall and wrote the final proposal to begin a doctorate program in mass communication.

In 1983 Melson stepped down as dean but continued to teach in the department of advertising and public relations until 1992. In the year he retired, he gave the commencement speech at the College of Communication’s graduation ceremony, telling the students that “You and I are together at important junctions in our lives. But, whereas I’m ending a career, you are beginning yours.” After giving the graduates some practical advice about job-searching, he went on to say, “Education should have prepared you not just for your career and the sustenance of life, but for the improvement, enjoyment and celebration of life.”