Bierbauer named dean of University of South Carolina school

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - Former CNN Washington correspondent Charles Bierbauer has been named dean of the University of South Carolina&#39;s new College of Mass Communications and Information Studies. <br> <br> Bierbauer, who starts in July, will lead a combination of the university&#39;s College of Journalism and Mass Communications and College of Library and Information Services. <br> <br> ``Mr. Bierbauer has a firm grasp of how the two colleges that are intricately involved in using technology to gather and disseminate information can forge a common vision,&#39;&#39; Provost Jerome Odom said Wednesday. <br> <br> Bierbauer said he looked forward to his new duties. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a natural merger of the expanding possibilities of information systems with the hallmarks of communications -- journalism, advertising and public relations,&#39;&#39; Bierbauer said. <br> <br> Bierbauer was most recently reporter and producer for a Discovery Channel documentary on the terrorist attacks. <br> <br> He worked for CNN from 1981 to 2001 and for ABC News from 1977 to 1981. He previously worked for a WKAP radio in Allentown, Pa., as well as The Associated Press and the Chicago Daily News. <br> <br> Bierbauer holds bachelor&#39;s and master&#39;s degrees from Pennsylvania State University, where he serves as a lecturer.