The recipient of the newly-established Jane Baker Nord ’42 Chair in Media Studies is Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Sociology William Hoynes.

Professor Hoynes joined the Vassar faculty in 1992. He is a cultural sociologist who studies contemporary media in the US, with a focus on journalism, the media industry, and practices of democratic citizenship. Professor Hoynes is the author of many books and articles on US media, including the award-winning books Public Television for Sale and The Business of Media, as well as the textbook Media/Society, currently in its 7th edition. Professor Hoynes has served as Chair of the Sociology Department and Director of both the Media Studies and the American Studies programs.