The Deseret Morning News might be missing their former chief operating officer, but BYU's Department of Communications just gained a valuable asset.

John Hughes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has led the Deseret Morning News since 1997, stepped down from his position at the end of 2006 to become a BYU professor this semester.

Hughes joined BYU in 1991 to help create the International Media Studies Program, which he felt would produce journalists with a better understanding of foreign issues.

"I [was] concerned about the training some journalists in America [had] in foreign correspondence," Hughes said.

This program was also made in the hope that students from other nations, especially third world nations, could be "strengthened and supported" in their journalistic endeavors, said Hughes.

Ed Adams, chair of the communications department at BYU, is thrilled to have Hughes teaching again.

"John is a wonderful addition to our faculty," Adams said. "He brings such a bevy of experience to our students."

Hughes and his wife Peggy have also been involved in philanthropic causes, including founding the Peggy Hughes scholarship for women in the field of journalism with financial need.

This fact, among others, drew Adams to what he saw as Hughes' humility and open personality.

"The thing that's impressive [about John] is that he's unpretentious and he's a consummate gentleman," Adams said.

While at the Deseret Morning News, Hughes made important changes to the paper, including making it a morning newspaper.

He looks back fondly on his experiences as chief operating officer.

"I'll miss the people because they're very good people there," Hughes said.

Hughes is, however, pleased to be teaching.

"It's wonderful to be back here," he said, looking out from his picture window at the majestic mountains that overlook BYU's campus.

Copyright Brigham Young University 16 Jan 2007