Warren Watson, a vice president at the American Press Institute (API) and a 26-year veteran of American newspapers, has been named the director of Ball State's Institute for Digital Education, Activities and Scholarship (J-Ideas).

"Heading up J-Ideas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Watson said. "I have realized that the newspaper industry must reach deeper into our high schools to develop top talent. Today's high school journalists are tomorrow's media leaders.

"We need the very best people possible to keep this media industry alive and to make it thrive," he said. "J-Ideas is a way to help our young media leaders develop the skills necessary, including an appreciation for First Amendment values, so they can take their place in the media landscape." 

Watson begins July 1, succeeding Gene Policinski, former USA Today managing editor who served as acting director until returning earlier this year to the First Amendment Center as deputy director.

"Warren Watson brings a strong background in journalism education to the program," said Marilyn Weaver, chair of Ball State's journalism department. "After an intensive, national search, we believe his dedication to the profession will play a key role in expanding J-Ideas."

Watson joined API as associate director in 1998 and became director of extended learning in 2001. In the latter role, he organized and performed special training and services to companies and groups and developed special seminars on leadership, management and skills topics. He was promoted to vice president in 2003 and from August to November served as co-chief executive officer.

As a member of API's executive staff, Watson researched, planned, moderated and taught seminars on newsroom issues, management and leadership, and advertising/marketing topics.

The 53-year-old has held reporting, editing, art and management positions at newspapers as small as the 2,000-circulation Somerswoth-Berwicks (Maine) Free Press and as large as the 300,000-circulation St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. He is a New Hampshire native and earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of New Hampshire in 1973.

J-Ideas was created in 2003 through a grant to Ball State's journalism department from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  The program allows high school students to learn about journalism through interactive activities and layout exercises, Web-streamed lectures, virtual tours of professional newsrooms and online chats with industry professions.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, visit the J-Ideas Web site at www.jideas.org.)