Dean Fiedler to Volunteer with Booker Campaign

By Susannah Sudborough

Boston University College of Communication Dean Tom Fiedler, who is stepping down at the end of the school year, revealed his intention to volunteer for the campaign of Democratic presidential hopeful Cory Booker.

Fiedler, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of the Miami Herald, said in an exclusive interview with students in COM lecturer Andrea Kremer’s Art of the Interview class, that after a career reporting on politics from an outside, objective standpoint that he felt it was time he jumped into the arena.

“I will have the opportunity after I leave here at Boston University to do something with someone who is trying to make change directly,” said Fiedler.

Booker, the former two-term mayor of Newark, announced his candidacy for president in February 2019. He is a liberal Democrat and is known for emphasizing racial and social justice issues.

As for why he chose Booker, Fiedler said, “He walks the talk. He wants to represent people who face challenges and he has chosen, I think, to live with people like that and to fight for them.”

Fiedler believes the future of the country is one where diversity is a strength, and he wanted to work with someone who exemplified and would help create that future.

“What I was not looking for in this race was to work for a candidate who I think has enjoyed all the privileges of being a white male,” said Fiedler. “And we have some very talented white men who are running for office. They don't need my help. Society has helped them well enough along the way.”

Fiedler’s ability to make a difference has been a hallmark of his career. During his 11 years leading COM, Fiedler oversaw the creation of the Division of Emerging Media Studies, the college’s first doctoral program, and helped establish the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.

An alumnus of COM, with a master’s in journalism, Fiedler is best known for his work at the Miami Herald, reporting there for over 30 years. In 1987, he gained national attention for breaking the story of presidential candidate Gary Hart’s affair, which led to his eventual withdrawal from the race.

Fiedler admitted that crossing over from objective journalist to political advocate is unknown, but liberating territory for him. He said he thought he and his wife would retire to a more relaxing life at their condo in New Hampshire.

Instead, he will be working there in advance of the nation’s first primary in late February 2021, hoping to make an impact in politics.