Swasy named Reynolds business journalism chair at W&L

Alecia Swasy, who currently teaches business journalism at the University of Illinois, has been named the Donald W. Reynolds Chair in business journalism at Washington & Lee University.

She will start her new position on July 1. She will replace Pam Luecke, who starts phased retirement next academic year.

Swasy joined the Illinois faculty in fall 2014 as the Tom and June Netzel Sleeman Scholar in Business Journalism. Swasy has a journalism degree from Pennsylvania State University, and an M.A. in Journalism and Ph.D. in journalism studies from the University of Missouri.

Swasy worked professionally for The Wall Street Journal, The Virginian-Pilot, The St. Petersburg Times and Dow Jones Newswires. She has covered industries from consumer products and food to energy and economic development.

She has published two books: “Soap Opera: The Inside Story of Procter & Gamble,” and “Changing Focus: Kodak and the Battle to Save a Great America Company.”

Swasy’s research interests include the impact of Twitter on journalists and U.S. metropolitan newspapers. She is also interested in connecting readers with media outlets, with an emphasis on improving coverage of overlooked populations, such as the rural poor.