Ian Baitz appointed GCM chair
Ian Baitz
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Baitz as chair of the School of Graphic Communications Management (GCM) for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2010.
A Ryerson GCM graduate, Ian has been a faculty member since 2001, teaching printing processes and specializing in offset lithography and flexography. In addition to his Ryerson degree, Ian holds a master of education degree from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia and a bachelor of education degree from OISE, University of Toronto. A tenured faculty member since 2006, Ian was appointed associate chair that same year, and in December 2009 took on the post of acting chair.
Ian brings to Ryerson a strong interest in both scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities and service. He has published professional articles in trade magazines both individually and in partnership with colleagues, and has likewise presented papers and workshops at conferences in Canada, the U.S. and Germany. He has been instrumental in securing both financial and in-kind donations for the School and its students, including a flexographic printing press and a state-of-the-art web offset simulator. Among his many service contributions to the School, Ian has acted as faculty advisor to the GCM Phoenix College Challenge team, which won awards in both the 2009 and 2010 competitions. Ian has also played an active role in many university-wide initiatives, including activities with the Learning and Teaching Office, the annual faculty conference and Senate.
Prior to joining Ryerson, Ian not only worked in the printing industry but also in aviation, holding an airline transport pilot licence. Presently, he is a reserve officer at the rank of captain with the Canadian Forces, and in 2007 was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration.
As GCM chair, Ian will provide leadership in the rapidly changing field of graphic communications management. He will be responsible for further developing the School’s visioning and branding exercise as well as its academic and operational affairs, including development of the associate chair position. Where relevant, Ian will be involved in the development of program partnerships as part of curriculum development and will actively work with the School's constituents in the discussion, review and future directions of the School in relation to the strategic implementation of the School's Academic Plan. Ian will not only play an active role in fostering SRC activities and curriculum innovation, but will also assist in fundraising initiatives which continue to support the School's academic programming initiatives and student awards.
Please join me in welcoming Ian Baitz to his role as GCM chair.
Abby Goodrum
Interim dean, Faculty of Communication & Design