New public affairs director named
Melanie Meyer
Issue date: 7/27/05 Section: News
As a former journalist, Gregory Conroy knows how to make the most of a story. In his new position as director of Public Affairs, he intends to make the most of SIUE's stories.
Conroy has served as assistant director of Public Affairs under its former director, Keith Nichols. He was made acting director when Nichols left SIUE approximately a year ago. Conroy said little would change in his job description because of his new title.
"When I became acting director, I just kept doing the same job, but I also assumed some of Keith's duties in terms of being spokesperson for the university," Conroy said.
Conroy is in charge of a variety of things on campus. His main responsibility is to work closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications to maintain the university's image as "an institution that provides a quality education at an affordable price."
Conroy also sends news releases to journalists, supervises publication of The O, a monthly electronic newsletter, and sets up press conferences and groundbreakings on campus.
Before coming to SIUE 17 years ago, Conroy was a journalist in both print and radio. He said his experiences as a member of the press helped prepare him for working with the media as director of Public Affairs.
"The advantage of coming from a journalism background is that I know how journalists think. I know what they need and I know what they want, and I try to give that to them whenever I can," Conroy said.
Conroy said the best part of his job is having the opportunity to meet different people and get to know everyone on campus. He said the only thing that disappoints him about the job is that he can't cover all the stories that people suggest to him.
"I can't get to everything. They're all good stories, but I can't tell them all," Conroy said.
Public Affairs Executive Director Barbara O'Malley said that Conroy was the perfect choice for the position because he has a "good, solid working knowledge of the institution."
She added, "Greg has the experience and the expertise to take us where we want to go."
Conroy has served as assistant director of Public Affairs under its former director, Keith Nichols. He was made acting director when Nichols left SIUE approximately a year ago. Conroy said little would change in his job description because of his new title.
"When I became acting director, I just kept doing the same job, but I also assumed some of Keith's duties in terms of being spokesperson for the university," Conroy said.
Conroy is in charge of a variety of things on campus. His main responsibility is to work closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications to maintain the university's image as "an institution that provides a quality education at an affordable price."
Conroy also sends news releases to journalists, supervises publication of The O, a monthly electronic newsletter, and sets up press conferences and groundbreakings on campus.
Before coming to SIUE 17 years ago, Conroy was a journalist in both print and radio. He said his experiences as a member of the press helped prepare him for working with the media as director of Public Affairs.
"The advantage of coming from a journalism background is that I know how journalists think. I know what they need and I know what they want, and I try to give that to them whenever I can," Conroy said.
Conroy said the best part of his job is having the opportunity to meet different people and get to know everyone on campus. He said the only thing that disappoints him about the job is that he can't cover all the stories that people suggest to him.
"I can't get to everything. They're all good stories, but I can't tell them all," Conroy said.
Public Affairs Executive Director Barbara O'Malley said that Conroy was the perfect choice for the position because he has a "good, solid working knowledge of the institution."
She added, "Greg has the experience and the expertise to take us where we want to go."
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