From Tiger to Tiger: David Kurpius, LSU associate vice chancellor of enrollment management and professor of mass communication, has been named dean of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, LSU announced this morning. Previously, Kurpius served as associate dean of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, as well as director of Student Media at LSU. He will begin his tenure at Missouri on July 1. LSU officials say the university will conduct a national search for someone to replace Kurpius in his role with student enrollment management. In the meantime, the university will soon name an interim to fill the position.
Silver lining: A huge blaze twisted and blackened an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, but the state-run Pemex oil company says it managed to avert any significant oil spill. At least four workers died and two suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion that engulfed the platform in flames Wednesday, forcing 300 people to abandon the facility. Officials say environmental damage was avoided because the fire happened on a processing platform where the feeder lines could be shut off, rather than at an active oil well with a virtually unlimited amount of fuel flowing up from the seabed. The Associated Press has the full story.
Well connected: A new survey on smartphone ownership and use in the United States by the Pew Research Center shows 64% of American adults now own a smartphone of some kind—up from 35% in the spring of 2011. Smartphone ownership is especially high among younger Americans, as well as those with relatively high income and education levels. The survey results show Americans are increasingly using their smartphones to access the Internet. For example, 10% of Americans own a smartphone but do not have broadband at home, and 15% own a smartphone but say that they have a limited number of options for going online other than their cell phone. See the complete survey results.
Editor’s note: In observation of the Good Friday holiday, the offices of Louisiana Business Inc. will be closed and Daily Report will not be published. Daily Report will return on Monday morning. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
