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In her more than 30 years as faculty and administration at 51���� and in the Scripps College of Communication, Dr. Eddith Dashiell has worked tirelessly to instill the next generation of journalists with the values of journalistic integrity, fairness, truthfulness and accountability. Dashiell emphasized her support for those ethics, as well as cultural diversity when she was inducted into the Scripps College of Communications’ Ohio Communication Hall of Fame last week. The ceremony was held on March 27, 2025, at the 51���� Inn.

“Because of her dedication to students and colleagues, because of her wisdom, because of her willingness to amplify voices and ideas that are seldom heard, because of her amazing career at 51����, I am elated to induct Dr. Eddith A. Dashiell into the Ohio Communication Hall of Fame," said Scripps College Dean . 

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The Ohio Communication Hall of Fame was established by the Scripps College of Communication at 51���� in 1993. The Hall of Fame honors professionals who exhibit lifetime professional achievement and individuals and foundations who show lifetime commitment to the college. Each honoree must have a connection to Ohio (either the state or the University). To date, 39 people and two foundations have been inducted into the Hall of fame, and their names can be found in a wall display on the first floor of the Schoonover Center. 51���� President , faculty, students, and alumni gathered for this year’s award ceremony.

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Dashiell, a native of Shelbyville, Tenn., was both the first woman and the first African American to hold the director position. She joined the E. W. Scripps of Journalism faculty in 1992 after a seven-year career as a broadcast journalist. She has also several administrative positions, such as associate director for undergraduate studies, director of studies of the journalism program in the Honors Tutorial College, director of the 51���� summer high school journalism workshop, associate dean for graduate programs in the Scripps College of Communication, assistant provost for multicultural graduate affairs in the [then] 51���� Office of Graduate Studies, and assistant dean for undergraduate studies in the Scripps College of Communication.

Dashiell’s first love has always been teaching and mentoring her students. She taught communication law, diversity, and broadcast journalism courses, in addition to JOUR 1010 “The Future of Media,” which is the introductory course for first-year journalism majors.

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Dashiell has also been recognized with many awards including the Athens County Outstanding Woman of the Year (one of three) in 2005; the 1997-1998 51���� Professor Award (student-based teaching award); the 2013-2014 L.J. Hortin Faculty Mentor Award from the Scripps College of Communication, and the 2019 51���� Chapman Clapp Outstanding Advisor Award.

Dashiell’s retirement becomes effective June 30. Dr. Hans Meyer will assume director duties on July 1.

“Dr. Dashiell will be missed by many,” said Titsworth.