University of Memphis alumnus Robert Eoff said he was pulled from his brief retirement to serve as the vice president for communications, public relations and marketing.
University President Shirley Raines announced May 7 Eoff's acceptance of the newly created position.
"I am confident that in Bob we have found someone who is very knowledgeable of the communication field and who has the personal and professional traits necessary to lead The University's communication, marketing and public relations activities," Raines said in a release.
Eoff said he was excited about the position when he first heard of it a couple years ago - as a recommendation made by The University of Memphis Board of Visitors on which he served.
"Not knowing at the time that I'd be taking this position, the board recommended to The University that they add a strong marketing and communications department head," Eoff said. "I'm excited about it. I've always been a fan of The University."
Eoff said he grew up in Memphis, and both of his brothers graduated from The University.
"There are terrific things happening at The University, and to create a much broader sense of The University appeals to me," Eoff said.
He listed the audiology department and the FedEx Institute as examples of The University's accomplishments.
"Dr. Raines has a good team working for her," he said. "There are smart people teaching and smart students."
The University hired a top marketing professor from the University of Georgia to run the Fogelman College of Business, who Eoff said is among some of the best professors in The University.
Eoff retired from the New York Times Company earlier in 2007 where he most recently served as president of the NYT Broadcast Media Group. He plans to spend some time at his "retirement" home in Linville, N.C., before officially beginning his new role at The University Aug. 20.
"I'm looking forward to August," Eoff said.
