The announcement of Belo Distinguished Chair of Journalism Chris Peck’s departure has caught SMU with its pants down. Administrators, faculty and staff said they did not know of his appointment to editor of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., before reading the newspaper Wednesday morning or receiving one of many e-mails rapidly circulated through departments after a co-worker read the article.

SMU announced Peck’s appointment as chair of the journalism division Dec. 13, 2001. He began the job in January 2002. He accepted The Commercial Appeal‘s offer Monday.

Peck should have told the division he might leave. He began the interview process with the newspaper in August. He became a final candidate a month ago. He accepted the job Monday. He will begin the new position in January.

His silence has left the journalism division in a lurch.

Although a search committee will form immediately to appoint a new chair, the last search took almost nine months. The committee, determined to bring the best to the journalism division, broadcast the search nationally, collected resumés, interviewed, narrowed the candidates and brought them to campus to meet with faculty, staff and students – all before making the final decision. Everyone was enthusiastic about Peck’s appointment. The committee succeeded in bringing someone with a professional background and a promising vision of how to shape the next generation’s reporters at SMU. It was hoped Peck would set SMU apart in journalism convergence education.

Peck brought strong, real world experience with him to the division. Perhaps too strong. He felt compelled to take this “unusually good opportunity” with The Commercial Appeal, forfeiting the commitment he made to SMU when he signed on the dotted line in December.

His actions show the real level of his dedication to educating tomorrow’s journalists. He says the department is in good shape. What kind of shape will it be in without a chair?

Although not at SMU long, Peck has certainly made a mark on the division. He has stained it.

The consequences of Peck’s silence will be felt by the entire division. The repercussions of his departure will continue echoing long after he vacates his office.