FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Charles A. Crowson, a 1997 University of Arkansas graduate and former noon anchor and reporter at KSNF-TV, the NBC affiliate in Joplin, Mo., has been hired as manager of media relations at the University of Arkansas, effective May 5.

Situated in the Office of University Relations, the manager of media relations coordinates the University’s communications and relationships with the news media on a local, statewide, and national basis.

Crowson succeeds Rebecca Wood, who resigned in November 2002 to become director of development for the Fayetteville Public Library.

"We're delighted to have Charles coming on board in this key position at the University," said Roger Williams, associate vice chancellor for University Relations, to whom this post reports. "Charles emerged from a highly competitive field of more than 50 candidates. He performed superbly on the writing test we administer to finalists, and his experience as a reporter will serve him, the University, and the Arkansas news media extremely well."

Originally from Monticello, Crowson first attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello and then transferred to the U of A, majoring in English. He subsequently enrolled in the master's program in English and journalism and has completed all coursework for the degree.

As a graduate student, Crowson worked on the Arkansas Traveler's sports desk, emerging as its lead staff writer. He also did some sports stringing for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and served an internship with Fox Sports Network out of Atlanta. Two of the stories he helped put together for SEC-TV Weekly were nominated for regional Emmy awards.

He also worked as a news photographer and assistant producer for weekend newscasts for KHOG-TV 40/29, the ABC affiliate for Fayetteville/Fort Smith.

In his two and one half years at KSNF-TV in Joplin, he co-hosted the morning show Hometown Today, anchored the noon newscast, as well as the weekend newscasts, did weather, and also worked as a reporter.