Northwestern alumnus Matt Murray (Medill ’87, ’88) will be the next editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, the publication announced Tuesday.

Murray, a former Daily staffer, had previously served as executive editor. He will assume his new role Monday, according to the Journal.

“I am honored to have been appointed Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal and it is a privilege to serve our millions of readers in print and digital,” Murray said in a news release. “Our diverse array of talented journalists, ranging from reporters to graphic artists, video producers to data experts, are the best in the business.”

Since joining the Journal, Murray has held a number of positions, including national news editor and deputy editor in chief.

Murray will succeed Gerard Baker, who served as the Journal’s editor in chief for five and a half years. Baker will transition to the position of editor at large. In the release, Baker said it was a privilege to serve as editor in chief, and called the Journal “the world’s greatest and most trusted news organization.”

“There has never been a more important time nor a greater demand for trusted, authoritative, objective journalism and I am very much looking forward to continuing to pursue that mission as a writer, commentator and interviewer,” Baker said. “I am honored to hand over the reins of this venerable institution to Matt Murray, an editor of unsurpassed quality and a trusted friend and colleague.”

John Byrne, who is on the board of Students Publishing Co., Inc., The Daily’s parent organization, recalled working with Murray on The Daily’s copy desk in the 1980s.

“I remember Matt being incredibly smart, talented and very funny,” said Byrne, who served as The Daily’s editor in chief after Murray graduated. “Also feeling a little ‘awestruck’ by a senior who knew so much when I was just a lowly freshman.”

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