Joe Wrinn. Photo by Jane Reed.

Joe Wrinn has been named director of news and public affairs at Harvard University, effective in May.

Wrinn will succeed Alex Huppé, Harvard's director of public affairs, who has been named vice president of PSC International, an international public affairs consulting firm based in Boston and Washington, D.C.

Wrinn joined the News Office in 1980 as a staff assistant and subsequently worked as a writer, photographer, and media operations manager. He was named associate director of news and media relations in 1993 and since 1995 has been director of the Harvard News Office.

"Joe is a seasoned professional whose hard work, integrity, and expertise have earned him the respect of his Harvard colleagues as well as the outside media," President Neil L. Rudenstine said. "During the many years he has been associated with the Harvard News Office, in crisis and in calm, he has been a reliable and trustworthy interpreter of issues and events. I am very pleased that Joe will now be heading the News Office and am confident that he will lead with just the right combination of energy, judgment, and concern for the values of our University."

Wrinn first worked in Boston as a news photographer for United Press International. He has had extensive experience with major news organizations, including a 10-year stint as a National Photographer for The New York Times. He is a 1977 cum laude graduate of the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. Wrinn is the recipient of numerous Council for the Advancement and Support of Education photography and publications awards, as well as the National Press Photographers' spot news award, and the University of Missouri Picture of the Year Award of Excellence.

Wrinn began his professional career traveling around the world for two years aboard the M/S Royal Viking Sea, where he wrote and edited the daily newspaper for the luxury cruise ship.

At Harvard, Wrinn is a University spokesperson, has responsibility for media access for news and special events, and supervises public access to Harvard images and information. He was instrumental in creating the new Harvard Events & Information Center, a coordinated effort by Harvard to simplify public access to its campus through a "front door" approach to the University.

As director of news and public affairs, Wrinn will lead a staff of more than 20 responsible for Harvard University's media relations, public information and access, and publications, including the office's Websites and the Harvard University Gazette. The new position combines two previous directorships in the office involving public affairs and news.

"I am delighted that Joe Wrinn will lead the News Office in the years ahead," said Harvard Vice President for Government, Community, and Public Affairs Paul Grogan. "His professionalism, integrity, and dedication are legendary, as is his commitment to making Harvard intelligible and accessible to its many publics."

Wrinn lives in Lynn, Mass., with his wife, Julie.