Former ambassador, NPR head joins NMSU

A former U.S. ambassador to South Africa and National Public Radio president has been named a senior fellow at New Mexico State University.

Delano Lewis starts Sept. 1 and will be paid $90,000 for the year. His appointment is renewable.

“Del’s experience, insights, reputation and knowledge will be invaluable to the university,” NMSU President Michael Martin said in a news release.

Lewis’ mission will be twofold: He will “assume a leadership role” in the development of an institute for international relations that will serve as the state’s think tank on the topic, according to the news release. He will also advise those involved in the management of KRWG television and radio on “strategic opportunities to strengthen and grow.”

First: This is a great opportunity for the university. Lewis has an impressive background, and his knowledge and experience can only add to the opportunities for learning at NMSU.

Second: There’s an obvious political aspect to Lewis’ appointment. The university has been under fire from students and graduates for its management of KRWG and, particularly, the News22 television program traditionally produced by students. The university considered some changes last year that would have made News22 less valuable as a learning lab and might have lessened student involvement. That led to protests by students and alumni and, for the time being, the university has backed off.

The news release states that Lewis’ goals for the station include growing and developing local programming and local news; increasing funding, viewers and listeners; “and, of course, to strengthen student involvement.”

Lewis will report directly to Martin.