SALT LAKE CITY, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Deseret News today announced the appointment of Paul Edwards as the section editor of its editorial page. Edwards will serve as an editorial contributor addressing a national audience and will work with editor Joseph Cannon and the Deseret News' leadership team. This addition reflects the newspaper's commitment to strategically invest in resources that provide the insight into today's issues that readers are looking for.

Edwards brings strong educational and organizational expertise to the Deseret News. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and provost of Southern Virginia University, where he led national and regional accreditation efforts. Edwards also served as president of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a market-oriented research, education and outreach think tank that connects academic learning and real-world practice. Prior to coming to George Mason, Edwards taught political science at Brigham Young University. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from BYU and a Ph.D. and a JD from University of California, Berkeley.

"For over a decade, Paul has helped to sharpen the focus and strategy of values-based organizations, including research centers, think tanks and universities," said Clark Gilbert, President and CEO of the Deseret News. "We believe his voice and perspective will help us strengthen our mission and connect to the changing media needs of our audience today."

"Even while we address the changing economic realities facing newspapers today, the Deseret News recognizes the insight and perspective that contributors with a national reputation such as Paul can provide our readers," said Joseph Cannon, Editor of the Deseret News. "We are confident that Paul's background and capabilities will be instrumental in the future growth of the Deseret News."