Lorraine Elizabeth Branham (December 7, 1952 – April 2, 2019) was an American newspaper editor and the Dean of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
[1] She was considered one of the most important African American academics in journalism and was well known for her mentoring of young journalists.
[12] She held reporting and editing jobs at Camden Courier-Post in New Jersey, The Philadelphia Bulletin, and The Baltimore Sun.
[18][19][20][21] Branham was chosen from a field of 300 applicants to be dean of the Newhouse School effective July 2008.
[28] She also helped establish satellite campus programs, Newhouse in New York and Syracuse University Los Angeles Semester.
[2][13][29][30][31] Branham oversaw an $18 million fundraising campaign for the renovation of Newhouse 2 and creation of multiple new facilities.
[23][32][33] In September 2014, Oprah Winfrey was the guest of honor during dedication of the new Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center, featuring Dick Clark Studios and the Alan Gerry Center for Media Innovation.
[1][4][23][37][38] After her death, Amy Falkner served in the interim capacity until Mark J. Lodato was appointed to the position in March 2020.