Journalism educator Claussen takes helm of Nevada ACLU

The new executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, Dane S. Claussen, has experience in higher education, journalism and has been with the organization for more than 30 years, group officials announced Thursday.

The ACLU of Nevada said Claussen began work Monday. He most recently left Point Park University in Pittsburgh, where he had been the director of graduate programs in journalism and mass communication since August 2001.

Claussen also has been editor of the quarterly Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, the world's oldest and largest scholarly journal devoted to journalism and media education, the organization said.

In a statement, Claussen said he is eager to tackle many civil issues in the Silver State.

"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work for an organization that I have strongly believed in from the first time I heard about it," he said. "The ACLU of Nevada has an excellent record in litigation, lobbying, and advocacy work in First Amendment, criminal justice (police practices, prisoners' rights and more), religious freedom, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and its other core issues, all pursued by an excellent staff, with policy set by a fine board of directors."

Claussen replaces Gary Peck, who left the position in July 2009. Peck was largely credited for revitalizing the civil liberties group after he joined in 1996.

Before Peck's arrival, the organization was known mostly for its efforts to combat police brutality.

Under Peck's leadership, the state ACLU fought battles for rights of homeless, voters, immigrants, women, homosexuals, indigent defendants in the criminal justice system, religious minorities and those seeking to engage in free speech.

Peck recently accepted a position as the executive director of the Nevada State Education Association.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@review journal.com or 702-383-4638.