RIVERSIDE, Calif. (BP)–Mark A. Wyatt, editor of The California Southern Baptist newsjournal since 1991, has been selected as California Baptist University’s first vice president for marketing and communication.
The university’s trustees voted unanimously May 3 to hire Wyatt, a 30-year veteran of print and broadcast media and a doctor of ministry graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif.
In addition to handling media relations, Wyatt will develop a comprehensive public relations program, including the coordination of student recruitment initiatives, website communication, market research and the development and design of printed marketing materials. He also will hold the faculty position of assistant professor of communication arts.
Prior to his work with The California Southern Baptist, Wyatt served as director of public relations for the California Southern Baptist Convention for seven years. His responsibilities included consultation for the executive board and staff; coordination of logistics for statewide convention meetings; and media training and publication development for churches.
During his tenure with the CSBC, he has also represented the convention as a speaker in churches and at regional meetings. He has traveled with California Southern Baptists as they established relationships in the former Soviet Union, China and Spain. Wyatt served globally with the Baptist World Alliance on its communications committee, which he chaired from 1990-95. His BWA work has taken him to South America, Africa, Great Britain, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, where he conducted communication training conferences.
He gained experience in broadcast journalism as news director and announcer at radio station WGUL in Florida; anchor reporter and producer at WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, S.C.; and reporter for WHAS-TV in Louisville, Ky. He is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister and served as a pastor in Indiana.
Wyatt begins his official duties Aug. 1.
“Dr. Wyatt’s acceptance of this position will move us to a whole new level in our communication with the public,” Cal Baptist President Ronald L. Ellis said. “We will strengthen relations with secular and denominational media throughout California, the region and the nation. This is great timing, as we are recruiting nationally known faculty to work with our talented team.”
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