Risley named head of Penn State journalism department

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - Ford Risley, a newspaper historian and former reporter with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has been named head of the journalism department at Penn State University, effective July 1. <br> <br> Risley, an associate professor of communications, has focused his research on the 19th Century American press, particularly newspapers during the antebellum and Civil War periods. He earned his doctorate from the University of Florida, his master&#39;s degree from the University of Georgia and his bachelor&#39;s degree from Auburn University. <br> <br> Risley has worked as a reporter for the Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.