In 1931 Ackerman was recruited to serve as the director and, later, as the first dean, of
Columbia University's School of Journalism graduate program. The Journalism Department was established in 191w by an estate gift of
Joseph Pulitzer, a major publisher in
Saint Louis and
New York City. The philanthropist's money was also used to establish the
Pulitzer Prize awards in journalism, literature, drama and music. Ackerman was a provocative figure; for instance, he accused the administration of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt of
fascism, and attempts to control journalism. Known to be reclusive, he worked to establish the school as one of the foremost schools of journalism in the nation. He served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as
Society for Science & the Public, from 1936 to 1938. In 1954, after the death of his wife, Ackerman notified the university of his intention to resign, and after Columbia had found a replacement, he did so. In his later years, he was known to visit the university only occasionally. ==Death==