JAT Logo.
SEARCH JAT

School of Journalism & Telecommunications
107 Grehan Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0042

HOME ABOUT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS FACILITIES COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

- IRJCI

- FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER

- JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME

- EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS

- CREASON LECTURES

- BOWLING LECTURES

- JOURNALISM WORKSHOPS

Community Programs

Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame Inductees

Print Version (PDF)

2008
Biography
Jack Crowner
Farm broadcasting stalwart for more than fifty years, owns and operates Farm Service Radio Network, heard in Kentucky, Indiana and neighboring states. Recipient of numerous awards, including the Ralph Gabbard Distinguished Kentuckian Award from the Kentucky Broadcasters Association and the Front & Center Award from the Kentucky State Fair Board. Former Farm Director for WAVE in Louisville, WMT in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and television stations in Evansville, Ind. and Lexington. Honored as 1990 National Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Graduate of Michigan State University.
Don Edwards
Long-time local interest columnist with the Lexington Herald-Leader. Began journalism career in Winchester in 1964, moved to Lexington in 1966 where he wrote for The Lexington Herald, The Lexington Leader and then the Herald-Leader. Wrote local interest column three days a week on topics ranging from Smiley Pete, the town dog, to politics to race relations. Collection of columns published as Life is Like a Horse Race. Attended Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky; born in Corbin.
Virginia Edwards
President of Editorial Projects in Education since 1997; editor of Education Week since 1989. Oversees corporation that publishes Education Week and Teacher Magazine. Frequent speaker to educational policy groups. Previously worked with The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, assisting Ernest L. Boyer on a number of projects. Began journalism career with The Courier-Journal, first as copy editor, then assistant regional editor, and then statehouse reporter covering education issues. Graduated from University of Kentucky with degrees in journalism and political science.
T George Harris
Extensive career in magazine journalism, including founder and Editor-in-Chief, American Health (1981-1990); Editor-in-Chief, Psychology Today (1968-1979, 1989-1991); Senior Editor, Look (1962-1968); Bureau Chief for Time-Life-Fortune; correspondent for Time. Reported extensively on the Civil Rights movement. Under his leadership, Psychology Today (1972) and American Health (1983) received American Society of Magazine Editors-Columbia University Magazine of the Year awards, first editor ever to be so selected for two different magazines. Received Lifetime Award for Distinguished Contribution to the discipline from the American Psychology Association; named Magazine Professional of the Year, 2000, by AEJMC. Remains active in magazine field. Born in Simpson County, attended University of Kentucky, graduated from Yale University.
Kent Hollingsworth
Editor of The Blood-Horse 1963-1986. Oversaw the magazine’s growth from a circulation of less than 7,000 to 22,000. Wrote weekly “What’s Going on Here” column; described as “the Thoroughbred industry’s conscience.” Served in the Army, then began journalism career as news photographer and sports writer for the Lexington Leader. During editorship of The Blood-Horse, served as president of National Turf Writers Association and Thoroughbred Club of America. Chaired the Racing Hall of Fame Committee. After retirement from The Blood-Horse, wrote columns for The Racing Times and Thoroughbred Times and served as a Distinguished Lecturer in equine law at University of Louisville. Wrote five books, including The Kentucky Thoroughbred. Received undergraduate and law degrees from University of Kentucky. Died in May 1999.
William Ray Mofield
Developed the broadcast journalism programs at Murray State University and at Southern Illinois University. Named Kentucky Communications Teacher of the Year in 1977; received first Murray State Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Fine Arts and Communication in 1985. Was named Distinguished Professor of the Year by the Murray State Alumni Association, 1987. Received Kentucky Broadcasters’ Distinguished Service Award, 1989. Started Kentucky’s first FM radio station, was play-by-play announcer for the Kentucky state high school basketball tournament 1946-58, conducted live radio interview with vice presidential candidate Alben Barkley for CBS on election night 1948. Hardin native, graduated from Murray State, received Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. Died in 1995.
Al Tompkins
Group Leader for Broadcasting and Online at The Poynter Institute. Writes daily “Al’s Morning Meeting” story idea column on Poynter.org read by more than 20,000 people. Author of Aim For The Heart: A Guide for TV Producers and Reporters; co-author of Radio and Television News Directors Foundation’s Newsroom Ethics workbook. Before joining Poynter in 1998, spent 25 years as a photojournalist, reporter, producer, anchor, assistant news director, special projects/investigations director, documentary producer, news director. Received 1999 Clarion Award for his documentary Saving Stefani. Winner of numerous other awards, including national Emmy Award, Peabody Award, seven National Headliner Awards, two Iris Awards, Robert F. Kennedy Award for International Reporting. Graduate of Western Kentucky University.
2007
Biography
Ron Boone Through thirty-one year career as reporter and news director at Elizabethtown radio stations, was heard on several stations, including WIEL-AM, WASE-FM, WRZI-FM and WKMO-FM. Provided news, commentary, and public affairs programming to radio listeners in Hardin County from 1973 until his death in 2004. Called “a big-time talent” who would have succeeded in a large market but chose to stay in a relatively small one and always thought of his work as public service. Known for diligent, fair, reliable and thoughtful reporting, with an emphasis on local stories and local viewpoints to make connections with his listeners. Graduate of Union College. Born in Corbin; began his radio career there in 1964 at WCTT-AM.
Nancy L. Green Publisher, Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Iowa) Courier and Vice President, circulation, Lee Enterprises. Former publisher of Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader and Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item. Major supporter of higher education and journalism education. Headed Georgia university system’s on-line learning program; was vice president for advancement at Clayton College & State University in Georgia. Taught journalism at University of Kentucky, Ohio University and Indiana University and was general manager of student media at University of Kentucky and University of Texas at Austin. Named College Media Advisers Distinguished Newspaper Adviser in 1976 and Distinguished Business Adviser in 1984. Lexington native; received BA from University of Kentucky, MA from Ball State, and Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University.
Ron Jenkins One of Kentucky’s leading community journalists. Served as editor of The (Henderson) Gleaner 1972-2006. Under his leadership, The Gleaner won the Kentucky Press Association’s “General Excellence” award for newspapers with circulation of 10,001-25,000 22 times in 25 years. Demonstrated that a small daily newspaper could achieve consistent excellence. Previously worked as a reporter with The Gleaner (1967-1969), The Evansville Courier (1965-1967), and The (Evansville) Sunday Courier & Press (1970-1971) and as a news editor for The (Owensboro) Messenger-Inquirer (1964). Born in Henderson; graduate of Murray State University.
Glen Kleine Instrumental in developing Eastern Kentucky University’s journalism program, serving as adviser and mentor to hundreds of future journalists. Came to EKU in 1967 from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, later served as chair of the Department of Communication and dean of the College of Applied Arts and Technology. Served as national president of Alpha Phi Gamma national journalism honorary, 1971-1975. Received Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the philosophy and practice of cooperative education and career employment in 2000; received EKU National Alumni Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2003. Retired from EKU in 2003. Received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Missouri and Ed.D. from East Tennessee State University.
Ken Kurtz Born in West Virginia and worked in television news in that state, Indiana, and South Carolina before coming to Lexington in 1975 as news director and vice president of news for WKYT-TV. Became director of long range planning for WKYT and WMYT in 1988; retired in 1989. Served as president of the Associated Press Broadcasters of Kentucky and on board of directors for Radio and Television News Directors’ Association. Frequent guest on KET’s “Comment on Kentucky.” Active in journalism organizations post-retirement, including serving as Kentucky state chair for Society of Professional Journalists’ Project Sunshine, focusing on freedom of information issues. Graduate of Swarthmore College.
2006
Biography
Don Neagle
Co-owner and news director at WRUS-AM, Russellville, the only radio station in Logan County. Has been with WRUS since 1958 and continues to do 6:00-11:00 a.m. morning show including news, interviews, and listener calls. Began his career at WLCK-AM in Greensburg, his hometown, at 16. Received Kentucky Broadcasters Association Kentucky Mike Award in 2005. Attended Western Kentucky University.
Larry Spitzer
Staff photographer for The Courier-Journal and The Louisville Times for more than 35 years, traveling throughout the state, often on very short notice. Named photography assignments editor in 1982, a position he held through his retirement in 1995. Part of Pulitzer Prize-winning team for 1975 coverage of court-ordered busing for school desegregation. Won numerous awards from National Press Photographers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, International Association of Firefighters. Work has been published in Time and Life magazines and newspapers across the U.S. Active in the Society of Professional Journalists; helped develop student chapter at Western Kentucky University.
Claude Sullivan
Born in Winchester, Kentucky, attended the University of Louisville and Ohio State University. Began his broadcast career at WMCA in Ashland in 1942. From 1943 to 1946, was with WAVE in Louisville; began broadcasting University of Kentucky football games in 1945. From 1946 until 1962 Sullivan was associated with WVLK in Lexington broadcasting UK football and basketball games. In 1951, he organized the Standard Oil Sports Network, which included more than twenty stations carrying football and basketball broadcasts originating in thirty- seven states. Named "Kentucky's Outstanding Broadcaster" by the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters from 1959 to 1964; received the "Golden Mike" award from the Kentucky Broadcaster's Award in 1967. Died December 6, 1967.
David Thompson
Executive director of Kentucky Press Association, since September 1983. Transformed KPA into one of the top 10 press associations in the U.S., providing member newspapers with legal services, lobbying pressure, professional workshops, outstanding internship program and statewide classified advertising placement service. Previously held positions in both broadcast and print journalism, including serving as publisher and editor of the Georgetown News & Times. Past president of Newspaper Association Managers, international organization of state, regional and national press association executive directors. 1974 journalism graduate of the University of Kentucky.
Ferrell Wellman
Chief of WAVE-TV’s Frankfort bureau for 16 years, covering the Kentucky legislature, state politics, and numerous stories on education, health care, the environment and economic development. Produced at least one major story on each of Kentucky’s 120 counties. From 1976-1979, wrote Capitol Watchline column appearing in 15 newspapers. Regular panelist and frequent guest host on Comment on Kentucky. Won CPB’s Silver Award for News for 1992 KET election coverage. Part of WHAS-AM team that won several national awards for “The Appalachian Project” 1992 radio documentary. Born in Pikeville and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, he now teaches broadcast journalism there.
Bob White
“Mr. Kentucky High School Sports.” Covered high school sports for The Courier-Journal for 41 years, retiring in 2000. Covered all high school sports, boys and girls, including every football game between Louisville stalwarts Trinity and St. Xavier between 1968 and 2000. His presence at a game signaled that the game was special. Member of the Kentucky All-Star Basketball Hall of Fame. Received distinguished service award from National High School Coaches Association in 1991. Received journalism degree from University of Kentucky.
2005
Biography
Bob Adams
Adviser to Western Kentucky University's College Heights Herald, where students call him "Mr. A," since 1968. Newspaper has won numerous national awards during his tenure, including 10 Pacemaker Awards (as of 2004). Herald was named to the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame in 1989. Adviser to WKU's award-winning yearbook, the Talisman, 1990-1996 and 2002-present. As Director of Student Publications, has guided and nurtured the careers of hundreds of journalists throughout Kentucky and beyond. Named outstanding four-year university newspaper adviser by National Council of College Publications Advisers in 1978. Began career as reporter and acting sports editor for the Bowling Green Daily News; later was publisher or co-publisher of five weekly newspapers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Holds bachelor's and master's degrees from WKU.
Gene Clabes

Varied career as reporter, publisher, newspaper owner, and journalism educator. Began as Henderson Gleaner sports editor in 1963 prior to becoming managing editor of the Kentucky Kernel in 1966. After college, wrote for The Evansville Courier, The Gleaner, and The Evansville Press. Bought The News Enterprise in Ludlow in 1988, then the three weekly Recorder Newspapers in 1990, serving as president, CEO and publisher. Sold the papers to The Community Press Newspapers in 1994 and served as senior publisher and chairman of the editorial board for three more years. President of Kentucky Press Association in 1997. From 2001-04, was a Freedom Forum visiting professional at Hampton University, teaching a variety of journalism courses and developing the first-ever horsemanship program at a historically black university. Currently Equine Director for the Kentucky Equine Education Project, combining his journalism skills with his love of horses and horsemanship.
Lee Denney
More than 40 years in broadcasting, including News Director-Anchor, WBKR-WOMI, Owensboro, since 1985. Recipient of numerous awards, including 2000 Kentucky General Assembly recognition and 2000 Mayor's Award of Excellence, both related to the stations' coverage of the January 2000 Owensboro tornado. Outstanding public servant; recognized as a Kentucky Colonel. Assistant manager/president of the board of the WBKR-WOMI Bell South Pioneers Christmas Wish program that helps 6,000 individuals annually. Chair or co-chair of numerous other public service committees working on efforts for Owensboro veterans, children, and the homeless. Prior to joining WBKR-WOMI, worked in radio and television in Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and California.
Bob Johnson
Worked for WHAS Radio and Television in Louisville from 1958 until 1978, starting as a newscast script writer before moving to on-air reporting and specializing in politics and government. Joined The Courier-Journal as a reporter; became political writer in December 1979, a post he held nine years. Became an assistant city editor in 1989 and assistant regional editor supervising state and Washington coverage, in 1991. As dean of Kentucky political reporters, covered 12 national political conventions, every regular and special session of the Kentucky General Assembly from 1964 through 1988 and every election from 1963 through 1988. Known for his keen understanding of politicians and their strategies. Retired from The Courier-Journal in 1997.
Marguerite McLaughlin
One of the first women general reporters for a Southern newspaper; covered drama, music, and murder cases for Lexington Herald and served as farm editor from 1917-18. First woman journalism teacher in the United States; taught at the University of Kentucky for 38 years until 1950. Assisted Enoch Grehan in founding the UK School of Journalism. Her students included Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame members Joe Creason, Niel Plummer and Don Whitehead. Received "Pro Ecclesiae et Pontificae" medal from Pope Pius XII in early 1950s, highest award available to a Catholic laywoman. Recipient of numerous awards and honors from the University of Kentucky Alumni Association. After retirement from UK, served as president of Welsh Printing Company. Died November 25, 1961.
Bob Schulman
Came to Kentucky in 1968 after working for KING Broadcasting Company and Time, Inc. magazines. Joined the Sunday Magazine staff of The Courier-Journal and Times in 1968; won national Education Writers' Association award in 1970. WHAS-TV and radio commentaries, "One Man's Opinion," won Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Journalism award for best television editorial in 1971. From 1974-1981, wrote pioneering column of media criticism, "In All Fairness," published in The Courier Journal; received Louisville Bar Association Gavel Award in 1976 for that column. Also developed series of "Minding the Media" reports for WHAS and hosted weekly public radio discussion program, "Good Authority," which later moved to WHAS radio. Joined University of Louisville in 1984 and helped create forums and seminars to foster better communication between Kentucky news media, courts, and attorneys. Received a second Gavel Award in 1994 for this work. Author of John Sherman Cooper: Global Kentuckian.
2004
Biography
Glen Bastin
Became WHAS Radio’s first News Director in 1972. (Before that time WHAS had maintained a combined news operation serving both radio and TV.) Was the voice of WHAS’ 5 p.m. “Broadcast of Record” throughout the 1970s; directed coverage of major events including the tornadoes of 1974 and the 1975 implementation of school busing in Jefferson County. Put together one of the largest local radio news operations in the country as WHAS-FM was converted to Kentucky’s first all-news station in 1975. Hosted several KET broadcasts and syndicated the radio program Pondering Kentucky in the 1980s, broadcast daily for over ten years on some 85 Kentucky radio stations. During his broadcasts, left little doubt of his deep love of the Commonwealth and its people. Serves today as Senior Ambassador and Chief Operating Officer of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Maria Braden

After working as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press, the National Newspaper Association and the Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette, Maria Braden spent 21 years teaching journalism at the University of Kentucky. Before retiring in 2001, she taught courses in news reporting, magazine article writing, journalism ethics, public affairs reporting, media diversity and etymology. She also wrote articles and book reviews for a variety of newspapers and magazines, and published three books: She Said What: Interviews with Women Newspaper Columnists (1993); Women Politicians and the Media (1996); and Getting the Message Across: Writing for the Mass Media (with Rick Roth, 1997). Braden received a national teaching award for excellence in teaching of writing from the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and was the first woman promoted to full professor in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Regretfully, Maria passed away in July of 2004. She will be missed.

John Egerton
John Egerton is an independent journalist and nonfiction author who has written broadly about social and cultural issues in the southern region of the United States. Born in Atlanta in 1935 and raised in Kentucky, where he got his formal education, he has lived for most of the past half-century in Nashville, Tennessee, with sojourns in Florida, Virginia, and Texas. His books and articles seek to make connections between historical and contemporary people, places, and events in the South. Among his books are The Americanization of Dixie, Generations, Southern Food, and Speak Now Against the Day.
Jon L. Fleischaker
Has represented numerous outlets for over three decades, including The Courier-Journal and Louisville Times Company, The New York Times Company, Gannett Co., Inc., The Hearst Corporation, The Kentucky Press Association, The Associated Press, assorted broadcasting outlets and public relations companies. Has been actively involved in creating legislation protecting the press in Kentucky, including authoring the Open Meetings and Open Records Acts as well as the Retraction Statute. Has actively litigated most major media issues in Kentucky, including defamation issues, invasion of privacy cases, access to information and source protection. The only Kentucky lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, listed for media law. Education: J.D., University of Pennsylvania, magna cum lade (1970), Editor of The Law Review and B.A., Swarthmore College (1967).
Eliza Piggott Underwood
Born in 1896 near Bewelyville in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Became the first woman editor of the Kentucky Kernel, first woman editor of the Kentuckian, and the first woman to graduate from the University of Kentucky's School of Journalism. Began working for the Lexington Herald while at UK, and was later promoted to State Editor, becoming the first woman to be state editor of a daily newspaper in Kentucky and one of the first in the nation. Married Tom Underwood, who became managing editor of The Hearld. At age 60, she returned to UK to earn a master's degree in Library Science. Joined the staff at the university library where she combined her journalism and library skills to edit the Barkley papers and edit the library newsletter. Died in Lexington May 14, 1991.
2003
Biography
Bob Edwards
Host, National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Held position since program was launched in November 1979, when asked to temporarily host the program. His national audience has grown to more than 9 million listeners daily, with more than 13 million people listening to him at least once a week. A Louisville native, he graduated from the University of Louisville and earned his master's degree in broadcast journalism from The American University. Numerous awards include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Edward R. Murrow Award, citing his "editorial leadership and on-air performance, Bob has created a standard for the industry." In 1999, he and Morning Edition received the George Foster Peabody Award. The Peabody Committee praised him as "a man who embodies the essence of excellence in radio." Author of Fridays with Red, a memoir of his 12 years of live conversations with legendary sportscaster Red Barber. Working on second book, a brief biography of Edward R. Murrow, and memoir that addresses his concerns about the deterioration of standards and values that afflicts journalism today.
Louise Hatmaker
Editor, publisher and owner, the Jackson Times in Breathitt County and Beattyville Enterprise in Lee County. A longtime board member of the Kentucky Press Association, was named most valuable member in 1997, recognizing more than 22 years of service. Recipient of 1987 Lewis Owens Community Service Award from Lexington Herald-Leader. As a graduate of Cumberland College and student at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, she taught first grade at Hardburly Mining Company school in Perry County. Active in education of retarded children. Hired as a cub reporter at the Hazard Herald. Later reported roving pickets strife in coalfields in the early 1960s. Active volunteer worker and leader for 30 years in native Appalachia. Participated in successful campaign to make Lees College part of Hazard Community College. Member, Lees College Board of Trustees. First woman president of Natural Bridge Park Association. Received Eugene H. Combs Humanitarian Award.
Robert G. McGruder
Pioneering African-American journalist and news executive, champion of diversity in newsrooms. A Louisville native, he grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and Campbellsburg, Ky. Graduated from Kent State University in 1963 and worked for the Dayton Journal Herald before becoming the first African-American reporter for the Plain Dealer in Cleveland in 1963. Served two years in the U.S. Army, returning to the Plain Dealer in 1966. Served as an assistant city editor from 1971 to 1973 before returning to reporting; named city editor in 1978 and managing editor in 1981. Joined the Detroit Free Press in 1986 as deputy managing editor; named managing editor/news in 1987, then managing editor in 1993. First African-American president of the Associated Press Managing Editors (1995), and the first to head news operations at the Free Press when promoted to executive editor in 1996. Received the 2001 John S. Knight Gold Medal, the highest honor given an employee of Knight-Ridder, parent of the Free Press. Five-time Pulitzer Prize juror. Died April 12, 2002 at age 60.
Ed Ryan
Political columnist, reporter, editor and bureau chief for the Courier-Journal. A native of Owensboro and graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, he began his reporting career at the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer while in college. Worked for the Lexington Herald, the Cynthiana Democrat and the Louisville Times before joining the Courier-Journal. Assigned to paper's Bowling Green Bureau before being named urban affairs writer in Louisville. Subsequently served as political editor, Washington bureau chief and Frankfort bureau chief -- the only reporter in Courier-Journal history to fill all three posts. Covered 1975, 1979 and 1983 Kentucky governor's races and 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns. Started the Courier-Journal's popular Sunday political column. His knowledge of politics and engaing personality won him easy access to politicians. Was particularly adept at profiling personalities and relationships that shape politics. Died May 1, 1984, at age 45, of a cerebral hemorrhage while covering the Indiana's governor's race.
Howard E. (Ed) Staats
Reporter, editor and administrator in 10 Associated Press (AP) offices, including AP's headquarters in New York. He began his AP career as a newsman in Austin, followed by news assignments in Dallas and Houston. Represented AP's broadcast division in the Rocky Mountain states while stationed in Denver, then returned to Texas and for two years served as AP's broadcast sales representative for the state. In 1970, he returned to the news side, running the AP bureau in Spokane, Washington. In 1971, he was appointed bureau chief in Salt Lake City. Following a brief assignment in Utah and Idaho, he was promoted to chief of bureau in upstate New York, based in Albany where he served for seven years before moving to AP's headquarters. Following administrative assignments in New York and Washington, D.C., Staats returned to the news side with his appointment as Kentucky chief of bureau in 1984, a position he held until retiring from his 41-year career in 2002.
Carl West
Editor of the State Journal of Frankfort, he won plaudits in Frankfort and Washington as an aggressive, incisive and intelligent reporter whose curiosity had no boundaries. Once becoming an editor, he used his experience, work ethic and patience to improve an already good medium-sized daily and to nurture and develop a generation of youthful journalistic talent. A Campbell County native who studied journalism at the University of Kentucky, he was a Frankfort correspondent for the Kentucky Post and covered the White House and Pentagon in Washington for the Scripps Howard News Service. A career highlight was his coverage of Watergate, the scandal that drove President Richard Nixon from office. West's contribution to Kentucky goes beyond journalism. He is also the founder of the Kentucky Book Fair, one of the state's most important annual literary and cultural events. Profits from the Book Fair go to local libraries.
2002
Biography
Jo-Ann Huff Albers
Director, School of Journalism and Broadcasting, Western Kentucky University. A 1959 broadcasting graduate of Miami University, she later earned a master's degree in communication arts from Xavier University in 1962. Led Western Kentucky University's journalism department for more than a dozen years, started in 1987. In 1999, named director of the school, overseeing 21 full-time faculty members, six undergraduate degree programs and more than 850 undergraduate majors. Spent 20 years with the Cincinnati Enquirer in various reporting and editing positions. Served as Kentucky executive editor from 1979 to 1981, leaving to become editor and publisher of the Sturgis (Mich.) Journal. While serving as editor and publisher of the Public Opinion, spear-headed county development program that led to establishment of Office of Economic Development and first cooperative venture among five chambers of commerce in Franklin County, Pa. Also spent a year as a general news executive with Gannett in Rosslyn, Va., just prior to joining WKU. Led the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication as president from 1993 to 1994, and honored as the 2000 Gerald Sass Journalism Administrator of the Year by Freedom Forum/ASJMC.
John S. Carroll
Editor of the Lexington Herald and the Lexington Herald-Leader from 1979 to 1991, a time when the paper was transformed from a provincial middle-market daily to a regional newspaper of influence in Kentucky. Raised the paper's standards, challenged the staff and supported the merger of the morning Herald and the afternoon Leader in 1983. Under his leadership, the paper won a Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for a series of articles about corruption in the University of Kentucky men's basketball program. The paper was a Pulitzer Prize finalist four times from 1988 to 1990 and won many other national awards. Directed a series of editorials on domestic violence in Kentucky, resulting in the paper's second Pulitzer in 1992. Scholarship at Alice Lloyd College for needy students in Appalachian Eastern Kentucky established in his honor. Left the Herald-Leader in 1991 to become editor of the combined Baltimore Sun newspaper; currently editor and executive vice president of the Los Angeles Times.
Virginia Gaines Fox
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Educational Television. Seventh-generation Kentuckian and 1961 elementary education graduate of Morehead State University. Received master's degree in library science from the University of Kentucky in 1969, after joining KET in 1968. Became deputy executive director in 1975. Left KET in 1980 to become president of the Southern Educational Communications Association, later earning a 21st Century Award from America's Public Television Stations for SECA service; became the founding director of the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium, the first public broadcaster/Department of Education interstate consortium for distance learning. Also created the first National Independent Television Satellite Schedule, serving more than 23 million students annually. First public broadcasting representative selected by the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers for the Independent Television Service Board. As an active volunteer in many civic, professional and educational organizations, served as a consultant, adviser and volunteer on numerous boards. In addition, served as founding director of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives.
John S. Hager
Distinguished careers as attorney, editor and publisher; also made his mark as a civic leader and philanthropist. Native of Owensboro and 1950 graduate of Princeton University. Graduated from University of Michigan Law School in 1954, the same year he joined the firm that would become Sandidge, Holbrook, Craig and Hager in 1960, when he became a partner. In 1973, became co-publisher and co-editor of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. Tackled tough issues, including a radical overhaul of Kentucky's court system, which led to an American Bar Association Silver Gavel award in 1976. When named president and publisher in 1989, the Messenger-Inquirer had added higher education to the list; through his leadership with the Citizens Committee on Higher Education, Owensboro gained an independent community college. The newspaper earned the American Society of Newspaper Editors' designation as one of the 14 best small newspapers in America. In 1996, named Kentucky Press Association's "most valuable member." His energies and passion now focus on the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, created with his family to foster community dialogue to resolve important public issues, ranging from childcare and school drop-outs, to healthcare access and riverfront development.
Dinh Phuc Le
Award-winning chief photographer for Louisville WLKY-TV. Career spans 40 years from motion pictures, to films for the South Vietnamese Army, to shooting for Japanese and American television. Worked for NBC and ABC in Saigon for nine years. Captured some of the most vivid, historically significant images of the Vietnam War, including film coverage of the young girl whose clothes were burned from her back when her village was hit by napalm. Many remember this same image from the Pulitzer-Prize winning photograph. Heralded by NBC News President Julian Goodman as "a powerful piece of film which has now become of historic importance" and earned third-place National Press Photographers Association Spot News award. As sound man for NBC when a Viet Cong suspect was executed by a South Vietnamese general, he told his photographer to quickly unload and reload his camera. Moments later, the general ordered all film seized, but Dinh had already tucked away the film in his jacket. Dangerous assignments led to his being wounded, and also escaping serous injury when a military helicopter crashed in Vietnam. Shortly after arriving at WLKY-TV, he survived a helicopter crash on I-71 while covering a snowstorm. Dinh worked at the Louisville station for 24 years, with seven as chief photographer. In 1998, he received the Board of Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science - that organization's highest honor.
Brian Rublein
News director at Louisville's WHAS-AM radio station for 21 years. Graduate of Michigan State University with bachelor's and master's degrees in broadcast journalism. First winner of the Radio and Television News Directors Association Geller Newsroom Management Achievement Award in 2000. Award was created to "bring attention to those who create and foster a newsroom environment that stimulates productivity, growth and development." Praised for not only teaching his fellow journalists, but joining in writing, editing and producing their stories. Led WHAS-AM to become one of the most respected local news operations in the country, winning an unprecedented four George Foster Peabody awards, broadcast's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize; two National Associated Press Awards; four Headliner Awards; and recognition from RTNDA as the best local news department in the United States. Tackled difficult issues of importance to the community through in-depth coverage, including a five-part documentary on Appalachia, a five-part series and talk show on mental illness and a documentary on homelessness in Louisville. In addition, broadcast the morning drive-time news to listeners for 21 years. Taught journalists to tell stories about issues through the people they affect, to use the "art of sound" in all stories, to take risks and leave no stone unturned, and that no story was ever out of reach.
2001
Biography
Virginia Harris Combs
Native of Lee County and longtime columnist for the Whitesburg Mountain Eagle. After graduation from Kentucky Wesleyan College became a second grade and high school English teacher in the Whitesburg schools for three decades; started the high school newspaper. In her weekly column, “Family and Friends,” which was signed simply “Virginia,” she wrote about the small happenings in the community—births, deaths, marriages, honors, who had who to dinner and little things about herself. Her columns contained wise sayings, home remedies, political commentary, and small town happenings that the readers loved, including doses of English grammar usage. She kept it up for more than 40 years, even after she had moved to Lexington in later life. One civic leader said, “She had a heart of gold and a love for her students.” While at Kentucky Wesleyan she played basketball and in 1997 was inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Author of two books and active in local clubs and church organizations, she was recognized for outstanding service by Letcher County and Kentucky Wesleyan among others. Her “unselfish spirit” was stilled on July 9, 2000, at age 99.
Nick Clooney
Native of Maysville; began broadcasting career on radio station WFTM while a high school student. Early career in Wilmington, Delaware, and the American Forces Network in Germany. Was weekend news anchor and production director for five years at WKYT-TV, Lexington; program director for WLAP Radio. Has written three columns a week for Cincinnati and Kentucky Post since 1989. Work has been reprinted nationally. Was host and writer-researcher for American Movie Classics’ cable channel and a syndicated radio program, in each case searching for little-known facts about movies and music of the last 75 years. Been in news and broadcasting for nearly 50 years. Has accumulated more than 300 awards, including Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More Presidential Medal from Thomas More College.
William R. Grant
Native of Winchester; graduate University of Kentucky, 1965, where he was editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Kernel and first person to receive a master’s degree in Mass Communications. Early career in print journalism as a writer for the Courier-Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Detroit Free Press and the Lexington Leader; Neiman Fellow at Harvard, 1979-80. Entered broadcast journalism in 1983. Major contributor to public television programming. Currently director of science, natural history and features program for WNET Public Television as well as executive producer and executive in charge of production. Producer of The American President and Stephen Hawking’s Universe, among other major public television programs. Executive editor for Nova, and managing editor for award-winning series, Frontline. Major national awards include five from the National Council for the Advancement of Education Writing, two Charles Stewart Mott Education Writing Awards, American Bar Association Silver Gavel, two Peabody awards and six Emmys. Author of numerous publications and papers on a variety of subjects.
Guy Hatfield
Publisher of three strong weekly newspapers in Kentucky—the Citizen Voice & Times in Irvine, the Clay City Times and the Flemingsburg Gazette. Was Kentucky’s youngest publisher when he bought his first paper in 1973 and was the youngest president of the Kentucky Weekly Newspaper Association—the only person to head that organization three times. President, Kentucky Press Association, 1998, during which time he visited every paper in the state. Named Most Valuable Member of Kentucky Press Association after serving on its board for 13 years and heading several important committees. Won 542 awards over the years from Kentucky Press Association, WKPA and the National Newspaper Association for excellence in writing, editing and photography. His Irvine paper named best Kentucky weekly in its class 16 times since 1975, and second best six times. Staunch defender of First Amendment. Uncovered many stories of corruption in government and schools in his area. Recognized by Boy Scouts of America for volunteer service.
Monica Kaufman
Native Louisvillian; graduate, University of Louisville. Worked as reporter for four years, the Louisville Times, and in public relations at Brown-Forman Distilleries before joining WHAS-TV as reporter and news anchor. Joined WSB-TV in Atlanta, 1975, as news anchor for three evening newscasts. Won 23 local and Southern Regional Emmy Awards over the years. In 1992, the Woman’s Sports Foundation presented her the Women’s Sports Journalism Award for local television reporting for her investigative report on the Georgia High School Association for its exclusion of recognition of women. Recognized by Atlanta Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists for a documentary on menopause. Received two commendations from the National American Women in Radio and Television in competition with network programs. Received Woman of Achievement award from Metropolitan Atlanta YWCA; first black and second woman to head Metropolitan United Way; named 1993 Citizen-Broadcaster of the Year by Georgia Broadcasters Association, and 2001 Broadcaster of the Year at the University of Georgia.
2000
Biography
Mike Barry
Probably the last of the great personal journalists in Kentucky, a reputation earned as editor of the Kentucky Irish American, a feisty weekly newspaper published in Louisville from 1898 to 1968. John Michael “Mike” Barry was editor from 1950 until the paper ceased. Spent his entire lifetime working in various positions at the Irish American and later as a sports columnist for the Louisville Times. Also wrote a back-page sports column for his family newspaper, billing himself as “the world’s greatest handicapper.” Sports commentator for WAVE radio and television; track announcer. Served in the Pacific during World War II as a captain in the assault Signal Corps. Made his journalistic mark and gained a national reputation with blistering but amusing editorials in his weekly paper against local, state, and national political figures, especially “Happy” Chandler, Louie Nunn, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Joseph McCarthy. Regularly lambasted the Courier-Journal. Widely read and quoted throughout Kentucky. Famed American sports writer Red Smith once said, “Around our house the Kentucky Irish American rates above bread and just below whiskey as one of the necessities of life.” Barry died in 1992.
Oscar L. Combs
Native of Jeff in Perry County, got early newspaper experience as a high school sophomore writing high school regional sports news for the Courier-Journal. After attending Cumberland College, started work as news editor of the Hazard Herald in 1965. Four years later was named editor of the Eastern Kentucky Voice, a paper he later purchased along with the Tri-City News. Turned the Voice into a crusading weekly paper without regard for the whims and wishes of controlling forces in the county. Spoke out strongly against strip mining in the region, corrupt county officials and civic leaders, many times at his own peril. Frequently recognized for journalistic excellence by Kentucky Press Association. Sold his papers, moved to Lexington and started The Cats’ Pause, a new kind of tabloid newspaper dedicated to coverage of University of Kentucky sports. Instant success followed, and within 10 years the publication had paid subscribers in every state and some foreign countries. Paper was not a cheerleader or a muckraker but an appropriate blend of both. Sold the paper to Landmark Community Newspapers in 1997, but continues to write a regular column.
John Lewis (Jim) Hampton
Native of Verda, Harlan County; graduate of University of Kentucky where he was editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Kernel. Named Outstanding Journalism Graduate in 1959. Worked for the Associated Press in Louisville and Lexington before joining the Courier-Journal, becoming chief of the Bluegrass Bureau. Served 10 years as a writer and editor for The National Observer, a national weekly published by Dow Jones & Co. Covered the 1968 presidential campaign and the anti-war demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago; also reported on the killing of four students at Kent State University by National Guardsmen. Was editor of the Miami Herald for 21 years, during which time his staff won two Pulitzer Prizes, one of which was awarded to the editorial board as a unit in 1983 for a year-long campaign to free Haitian boat people imprisoned in Miami. The second award went to the editorial cartoonist of the paper in 1996. Received Master of Arts degree in Communications and Journalism from Stanford University. Named to UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni, 1975.
Mary Jeffries
Longtime award-winning newscaster at WHAS Radio. After graduation from Western Kentucky University in 1981 worked two years at radio stations in Eminence and Elizabethtown. Joined the news department of WHAS Radio in 1983 as a reporter; later became assistant news director. Received two Peabody Awards—one for a documentary about schizophrenia, another about Louisville’s House of Ruth, which ministers to women who have AIDS. Also won two national Associated Press awards, two Headliner Awards, two Scripps-Howard Awards, two national awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association, one for best large market newscast in the nation, and two Gabriels. Produced numerous in-depth documentaries about a variety of topics and covered top local stories, including such varied events as the Carollton bus crash and the court-martial of a Louisville Marine given a new trial after being found guilty of assaulting the wife of a fellow Marine. Anchors late afternoon newscasts.
Timothy M. Kelly
Native of Ashland; began his newspaper career at age 17 as a part-time sports writer for the Ashland Daily Independent. Later was a sports writer and copy editor in Huntington, Miami and Louisville. At age 25, named executive sports editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, followed by key editor positions at the Dallas Times Herald, Denver Post, Daily News of Los Angeles and the Orange County (CA) Register. Was managing editor in Denver and Orange County when papers won Pulitzer Prizes. Returned to Kentucky in 1989 as executive editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader; became editor two years later and publisher in 1996. The paper won a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing while he was editor. Winner of the Ida B. Wells Award for diversity achievements in the news industry in 1999. Received the Knight-Ridder Excellence Award for community service in 1995 as a result of public-service journalism projects published by the Herald-Leader while he was editor. Honor graduate of University of Miami.
Theodore Poston
Trailblazing journalist believed to be the first African American to cross the color line into the newsroom of a metropolitan “white” newspaper. Born 1906 in Hopkinsville. Graduate of Tennessee State University. Moved to New York in 1928 during the last years of the Harlem Renaissance; became friends with some of its central figures. Worked several years for various black newspapers in New York and surrounding area; hired in 1936 by the New York Post, a newspaper known then as the liberal dissident in a field of conservative dailies. Covered numerous national stories for the Post, including the spreading civil rights movement in the South, the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, and the trial of Byron de la Beckwith for the murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evars. His coverage in 1948 of the “Little Scottsboro” trial cited as one of the Top 100 Best Works of American Journalism by New York University School of Journalism; received the George Polk Award for excellence in national reporting. Called the “dean of black journalists,” he retired from the Post in 1972. Poston died in 1974.
1999
Biography
I. Willis Cole
Distinguished Louisville newspaper editor and publisher and champion of human rights. Born January 22, 1887 in Memphis, Tennessee. Graduated from Lemoyne Junior College in 1906 and later attended the University of Chicago. Started newspaper career as a carrier at age 12. Became owner, publisher and editor of the Louisville Leader in 1917, Kentucky’s first African-American daily, which boasted as its motto: “We print your news, we employ your people, we champion your cause.” At the Leader, Cole was a persistent champion of justice and fair play for African-Americans. Active in the fight against Jim Crow laws and the push against segregated recreation facilities and streetcars in Louisville, he wrote editorials that were quoted by local, regional and national publications. Helped mobilize support for bond issues to benefit black schools in Louisville. Congratulated by President Harry S Truman for his editorials just before his death in 1950. De-voted church member and civic leader. Member of the National Negro Press Hall of fame and inducted into the Distinguished Gallery of Black Newspaper Publishers in 1991. Historic highway marker in his honor dedicated in 1997. University of Louisville Archives houses what remains of daily issues of the paper, about 1,200 editions.
Earl Cox
Native of Irvine, in Eastern Kentucky, now a popular sports columnist for the Voice-Tribune in Louisville. Writes a weekly syndicated sports column for papers across the state. Began his sportswriting career while a student at UK. Covered Transylvania University’s basketball and baseball teams and sports at Lafayette High School for the Lexington Herald. While in the Army, worked at the Indianapolis Star. Returned to the Herald in 1955. Joined the Courier-Journal where he worked for 33 years. In his role as executive sports editor of the combined sports department of the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times, provided readers with excellent sports pages. Founder and president of Associated Press Sports Editors. Inducted into the prestigious Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997; staunch supporter of high school sports, and a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Named in 1998 as an “All-American” by the UK Jefferson County Alumni Association.
Walter Dear II
Western Kentucky newspaper editor and publisher. Born June 26, 1932 in Jersey City, NJ into a newspaper family. Educated in public schools there, graduated in 1953 from University of North Carolina, where he was editor of the Daily Tar Heel. Joined family-owned Gleaner and Journal, a morning daily, in Henderson in 1960, became publisher in 1963. He, his wife and three children purchased the Gleaner, seven west Kentucky weeklies from Dear Publication & Radio in 1986. As company president, he insisted on high standards and aggressive but fair community journalism. Believed strongly in giving young journalists an opportunity. Three photojournalists who launched careers at the Gleaner later won or shared in five Pulitzers. Active community leader, named Henderson’s Distinguished Citizen in 1992. Sold company to Dallas-based A.H. Belo Corp. in March 1997.
Joe Dorris
Legendary columnist for the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, revered for his homespun tales that entertained Western Kentucky for decades. Born August 17, 1908, in Hopkinsville and a 1929 graduate of Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky, and the University of Missouri. Joined the New Era in the fall of 1930 as a part-time sports writer and promoted to full-time reporter in February 1931. Worked continuously for the newspaper for six decades, except for a four-year stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. Returned to the New Era after World War II and served as a reporter and editor for news and sports. Credited with writing the first news report about an alleged alien landing near a farmhouse in Kelly, Kentucky, in 1955, which created a nationwide flurry of coverage. Named editor and publisher 1965, the same year he began writing the daily “Watching the Parade” column. Hailed as the most popular feature in the New Era’s 120-year history, the column was a daily fixture in the newspaper, helping unite the Pennyrile region, preserve Hopkinsville’s rich history, spark interaction with readers and put current events into context. His conversational writing style and dry wit delighted generations of readers and served as inspiration for aspiring journalists in the region. Retired from the New Era in 1978, he continued to write his column until March 1993.
Richard G. Wilson
Longtime education and political reporter for the Courier-Journal. Native of Towanda, Pennsylvania and 1966 journalism graduate of the University of Kentucky. Editor, Kentucky Kernel. Served in the Army four years, including stint in Korea. Reporter for Lexington Leader, Frankfort State Journal and advisor to Kentucky Kernel. Also worked for University of Kentucky in preparation for its Centennial celebration. Joined the Courier-Journal in 1967. Spent two years in Louisville before joining Frankfort bureau, covering state government, politics, education and political campaigns for 16 years. In 1985, became Courier-Journal’s Bluegrass Bureau Chief in Lexington, where he continued to cover higher education and regional issues throughout Central Kentucky. Became known as one of the nation’s pre-eminent reporters concerning higher education issues. In 1984, won the Kentucky School Boards Association exemplary investigative reporting award for a series of stories with Richard Whitt, entitled “What’s Wrong with Kentucky Schools.” The series won the Kentucky Education Association’s Annual School Bell award. Longtime teacher of public affairs reporting at University of Kentucky and mentor of hundreds of young journalism students. Active member of UK Journalism Alumni Association board of directors.
Sue Wylie
Reporter, anchor and public affairs director for WLEX-TV in Lexington. Pioneer for women in television. Graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Began broadcast career in the 1950s in Cincinnati with WLWT-TV, WCPO-TV and WKRC-TV, where she did dramatics and voices for “The Storm,” a Rod Sterling show. In 1954, moved to Columbus, Ohio to work at WTVN-TV. In 1956, moved to Miami to work on new NBC affiliate, WCKT-TV, where she was a news reporter and midday news anchor. Was the first woman to be hard news reporter in the Miami market. Moved to Lexington in 1968 and began working for WLEX-TV. Stayed with WLEX for 30 years. Created the show, “Your Government,” in 1972. Interviewed governors, U.S. presidents and leading politicians throughout Kentucky and nation. Started radio talk show, “The Front Page with Sue Wylie,” in 1996 on WVLK. Earned several awards, including Associated Press awards for TV Series and Reporting for Excellence. Also won the Kentucky Broadcasters Association award for Best News Series for her coverage of the Eddyville Penitentiary.
1998
Biography
George N. Gill
Native of Indianapolis; journalism graduate, Indiana University. Started career at the Richmond News-Leader as reporter before moving to the Courier-Journal as a copy editor in 1960. Later served as a reporter, acting Sunday editor, assistant city editor, city editor before becoming one of the nation’s youngest managing editors in 1966, for a period of eight years. Covered civil rights movement and early U.S. space missions as reporter. The Courier-Journal won two Pulitzer Prizes under his leadership. Switched to business side of operations in 1974, becoming general manager and later president of all Bingham media properties. Named publisher of the newspapers when they were sold to Gannett in 1986. Received Outstanding Alumnus Award from Indiana University, 1984; honorary degree, 1994. As a civic leader he headed the Greater Louisville Economic Development Partnership, Metro United Way fund drive, Louisville Area Chamber of Commerce and Louisville Rotary Club. Served on numerous community boards. Currently chairman of trustees, American Printing House for the Blind. Retired as president and publisher of the Courier-Journal in 1993 after a career of 33 years.
David Nakdimen
Journalism graduate, University of Kentucky, 1955; native of Virginia. Early career as sports writer at the Lexington Leader following postgraduate work at UK. Joined WAVE Radio and Television in 1961 as a city hall reporter, later specializing in political coverage. Responsible for coverage of city and county government and the legislature, along with gubernatorial and other state and national elections over the past 36 years. Broke the story of the collapse of Prudential and American building and loan associations in the 1970s. Covered floods of 1964 and 1997, open housing demonstrations of 1967, tornados of 1974 and 1996, school desegregation and court-ordered busing in 1975, and other top stories including seven national political conventions. Has won seven awards from local Society of Professional Journalists chapter, two Gavel Awards from Louisville Bar Association for coverage of courts, a regional Emmy award, several AP awards for commentary, and a Gabriel Award from the Catholic Broadcasters Association of America for an open housing documentary.
William R. Neikirk
Native of Irvine, Ky.; journalism graduate, University of Kentucky, 1960; editor, Kentucky Kernel. Started as a sports reporter, Lexington Herald before joining the Associated Press, working first in Louisville, then Lexington and next in Frankfort as capital correspondent. Covered Combs administration and bitter Breathitt-Chandler campaign. Moved to Baton Rouge and then to Washington as economic correspondent. Joined the Chicago Tribune in 1974 covering the economy and politics and served two stints as White House correspondent. Was a Pulitzer Prize runner-up for his 1979 series on world trade. Wrote nationally syndicated column on economics. Author of two books, Volker, Portrait of the Money Man, and The Work Revolution. Winner of numerous national awards, including two John Hancock Business Writing Awards, Loeb Business Writing Award, Raymond Clapper Memorial Award and Merriman Smith Award.
Duanne Puckett
Started her journalism career as receptionist and reporter for the Shelby News in 1971. A year later became a staff writer for the merged Sentinel-News. Served as classified advertising manager and Family Living editor before being named news editor in 1982. Became editor in 1989, responsible for two newspapers a week, a weekly shopper and 12 special sections a year. Paper won numerous awards from Kentucky Press Association for journalistic excellence under her leadership. Received awards from local chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and received first Landmark Community Newspapers award for community service. Active in the community, received Shelbyville Business Professional Woman of Achievement award, Kentucky Farm Bureau Communications Award, and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advocate of the Year award. Co-founded Shelby County Literacy Council and also serves as volunteer writing teacher and Sunday School teacher. Named community relations coordinator for Shelby County Public Schools, 1998.
Billy Reed
Native of Mount Sterling; graduate of Transylvania University. Started sports writing career in 1959 for the Lexington Herald-Leader; left in 1966 to join sports staff of the Courier-Journal. Worked for Sports Illustrated in 1968 but returned to Kentucky in 1972 as a special projects reporter for the Courier-Journal. Won National Headliner Award and Sigma Delta Chi Award for stories written by him and Jim Bolus about fixed races and problems in the thoroughbred racing industry. Became general columnist for the Courier-Journal in 1974; was named sports editor in 1977. Rejoined the Herald-Leader in 1987 as sports columnist and became senior writer for Sports Illustrated in 1990. Named Kentucky Sports Writer of the Year eight times, won two Eclipse Awards and a National Headliner Award for consistently outstanding sports column in 1982, and numerous other national awards. Author of six books. Received Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service awards from Transylvania University. Past-president, National Turf Writers Association.
1997
Biography
Judith G. Clabes
Native of Henderson, graduate of University of Kentucky in English and journalism; Master’s degree in Public Administration from Indiana State University. Former teacher, joined Evansville Printing Corporation in 1971 as Newspaper in Education coordinator, later becoming director of community affairs and associate editor of Evansville Press. Became editor of Sunday Courier and Press in Evansville in 1978. Named editor of the Kentucky Post in 1983 and special projects director for the Scripps newspaper division in 1995. Became president and chief executive officer of the Scripps Howard Foundation the next year. Wrote a nationally-syndicated newspaper column distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, later produced in book form. Author of New Guardians of the Press, a book profiling women newspaper editors. Two honorary doctorate degrees from University of Southern Indiana; inducted into University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni, 1989; former board member, American Society of Newspaper Editors; president, Kentucky Associated Press Editors Association, 1985.
E. Hugh Morris
Native of Bowling Green and graduate of Louisville Male High School. Attended Purdue University studying mechanical and electrical engineering, but became interested in journalism and served as managing editor of the student newspaper. Started journalism career as managing editor of two small newspapers in Attica, Indiana. Joined the Courier-Journal in 1937 where he served as a reporter, Indiana editor, assistant city editor, assistant state editor and make-up editor before World War II. Served in U.S. Navy as air intelligence officer. After the war, went to Frankfort where he was a member of the Frankfort bureau of the Courier-Journal for 23 years, of which 17 were as bureau chief. Was part of the team of reporters that won the Pulitzer Prize for the paper for coverage of strip mine abuses and for helping bring about more strict controls. Covered 22 regular and special sessions of the legislature, becoming highly knowledgeable on the workings of the General Assembly, state finances and Kentucky politics. Left the paper in 1969 and served for 10 years on the Legislative Research Commission. Won a Nieman Fellowship in 1950 at Harvard University.
Ken Rowland
Native of Kansas where he grew up on a farm and later served as a B-29 gunner in the U.S. Air Force before attending Kansas State University. Started his broadcast career in Kentucky in 1958 as news director and drive-time news anchor for WKLO Radio. Became news director and anchorman for WLKY-TV in 1964 and then served for seven years, starting in 1970, as anchorman and reporter on WHAS-TV. Returned to WLKY-TV as the station’s news anchor. Received a regional Radio-Television News Directors Association award for his coverage of the Hyden, Ky. coal mine disaster and led the coverage for WHAS-TV of the tornado in 1974 and the court-ordered busing crisis, for which the station received a national Sigma Delta Chi award. Served two years as president of the Louisville chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was the first recipient of the chapter’s Kentucky Journalist Award for outstanding achievement in journalism.
Fred Wiche
Joined WHAS Radio and Television in 1958 after receiving a BA degree from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University. Was political reporter for the station and anchor person for the noon and evening news broadcasts; also anchor for area’s first hour-long newscast. Named farm and garden director in 1979, and became one of the area’s most popular radio-television personalities. Co-authored three books on gardening, one of which, Fred Wiche’s Gardening Almanac, sold more than 50,000 copies and became the state’s most popular garden book. In addition to broadcasting duties, writes a syndicated newspaper column. Received the Kentucky Farm Bureau Communications Award in 1984, and in 1992 received the Gamma Sigma Delta Award for outstanding contributions to agriculture. Also recognized for service by the Society of Professional Journalists. Served in the U.S. Army in Korea.
1996
Biography
Betty J. Berryman
Native of Winchester. Started newspaper career in 1954 as assistant to the publisher of the Winchester Sun. Became general manager in 1974 and was named publisher and executive vice president in 1988. Serves on the boards of Newspaper Association of American and Publishers Associated to Gain Economy. Became first woman president of Kentucky Press Association in 1986. Served as treasurer of the group for three years during a period of financial difficulty. Named Kentucky Press Association most valuable member in 1981 and 1983; received the Edward M. Templin award for community service in 1988. Active in other national newspaper organizations, such as National Newspaper Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. Served on boards of many local community organizations and as vice president of Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce. Attended University of Kentucky. Taught Sunday School for 35 years.
Mary Caperton Bingham
Matriarch of the Bingham family which owned the Courier-Journal, the Louisville Times, WHAS, Inc. and other communications properties. Active in the operations, she was a book editor of the Courier-Journal, 1942-1968, an editorial writer during the World War II and a vice president and director of the companies. Throughout her life she was a fighter for causes: bookmobiles in rural Kentucky counties, environmental issues, the United Nations, relief to war-torn Europe, arts, education and libraries. Following the sale of their media empire in 1986, she and her husband gave nearly $60 million in philanthropic grants, including funds for the Louisville Falls Foundation and the Louisville waterfront. Native of Richmond, Virginia; graduate of Radcliffe College. Died April 18, 1995.
Max Heath
Native of Campbellsville. Graduate of Campbellsville College where he started his professional journalism career as sports editor and news editor of the Central Kentucky News. Later served as managing editor, editor and general manager of Central Kentucky News-Journal for more than a decade, following service in U.S. Army as sports editor and editor of a military newspaper in Thailand. Became general manager of News Publishing Co., Tell City, Indiana, and editor of Perry County News, winning top awards from Hoosier Press Association. Named vice president and executive producer of Landmark Community Newspapers, Shelbyville. Has served seven years as chair of the postal committee of National Newspaper Association, which awarded him its President’s Award in 1989, Ambassador Award in 1992 and prestigious Amos Award for service in 1994. President of Kentucky Press Association in 1987; received award as most valuable member in 1985 and 1988 and for community service in 1992. Serves on board of Sigma Delta Chi Foundation. President, Louisville chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, 1983-84.
Keen Johnson
Governor of Kentucky, 1939-1943; lieutenant governor, 1935-1939. First love was newspapering; bought the Mirror, a weekly at Elizabethtown, in 1919. Later sold it and completed journalism education at University of Kentucky in 1922, after which he bought the Anderson News, a weekly in Lawrenceburg. Purchased part interest in the Richmond Daily Register in 1925 and became co-publisher, a position he retained until his death. Served briefly as part-time reporter for the Lexington Herald. President, Kentucky Press Association, 1925; also president UK Alumni Association and member State Board of Education and Board of Regents, Eastern Kentucky State College. Undersecretary of Labor during Truman Administration; unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate, 1960. Vice president and director, Reynolds Metals Co. Served overseas in World War I as first lieutenant. Frugal governor who paid off state debt, left $10 million in surplus. Died February 7, 1970.
Daniel A. Rudd
Born a slave at Bardstown on August 7, 1854. After the Civil War, joined his brother in Springfield, Ohio where he received a high school education. Began a weekly African–American newspaper in 1884 named the Ohio State Tribune. Becoming convinced that the Catholic Church was the great hope for African-Americans, Rudd transformed the newspaper into an African-American weekly called the American Catholic Tribune and moved it to Cincinnati and two years later to Detroit. The purpose of the paper was to present the Catholic faith to African-Americans since Rudd believed the Catholic Church was the great hope for his people. Helped establish the Catholic Press Association and the Afro-American Press Association. Though the paper ceased publication around 1899, Rudd traveled the country lecturing and went to Europe where he met with two Catholic cardinals. Served on the steering committee for the first general Catholic Congress in 1889 and continued his interest in the cause of Catholicism and African-Americans through his newspaper. Returned to his boyhood home where he died on December 3, 1933.
William E. Summers III
Broadcast industry leader for 39 years. Started journalism career at the Louisville Defender in 1941. Ten years later was hired as a part-time sports announcer for WLOU Radio. Shortly after he assumed full-time duties was named assistant manager of Rounsaville Radio, a chain of seven African-American formatted stations. Promoted to vice president and general manager in 1967 and became the first African-American in the U.S. to manage a radio station. Purchased WLOU in 1971, becoming the first African-American radio station owner in Kentucky. When WLOU was sold in 1982, he remained as management consultant until 1988. After release from the U.S. Army in 1947 became a deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and has held pastoral assignments in Taylorsville, Georgetown, Louisville, and Shelbyville. Serves as administrative assistant to the bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.
1995 Biography
Mervin R. Aubespin
Native of Louisiana and graduate of Tuskegee University in Alabama, became the first African American hired as a news artist by the Courier-Journal in 1967. A year later, when racial violence broke out in Louisville, he was pressed into service as a reporter, enabling the paper to cover a major breaking story when there were almost no African Americans in the newsroom. Later named associate editor for development to assist in finding minority journalists for jobs with the paper. A past president of the National Association of Black Journalists, was responsible for the growth of NABJ into a major force in American journalism. Won the prestigious Ida B. Wells Award, given jointly by the National Conference of Editorial Writers and NABJ, for efforts to open opportunities for minorities in journalism. Founder and twice president of the Louisville Association of Black Communicators, former chairman of the minorities committee of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, adviser to journalism education programs at colleges in Kentucky and elsewhere. Won the Distinguished Service to Journalism Award, given by the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communications, in 1991. First recipient of the Association of Black Colleges of Journalism and Mass Communication’s highest award, named in his honor.
James M. Caldwell
Retired radio-television executive for WAVE, Inc. Native of Bourbon County and journalism graduate of the University of Kentucky. Editor, Kentucky Kernel. Started career before World War II as a reporter for the Courier-Journal. Served in Navy for three-and-a-half years in Atlantic, Mediterranean and China-Burma-India theaters. Returned to the Courier-Journal, but joined WAVE Radio in 1946, later becoming program director. Was first television news director in Kentucky when WAVE-TV went on the air in 1948. Was radio and television promotion director before becoming radio general manager and then vice president of Orion Broadcasting. Former board member and president of Kentucky Broadcasters Association, vice chairman of National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board, member and chairman of NBC Affiliates Committee. Member, Kentucky House of Representatives, 1962-67; minority floor leader, 1966-67. Received Lincoln Key Award for role in passing South’s first Civil Rights bill. Former chairman, Louisville and Jefferson County Crime Commission. Active in civic affairs; currently secretary, UK Journalism Alumni Association.
Martha P. Comer
Retired editor, Maysville Ledger-Independent and Daily Independent; served for 42 years. Continues to write regular column at age 87. Started work at newspaper in 1924. Steadfast proponent of community and industrial development, especially in advocacy of public housing, floodwall, county health department and community college. Co-founder of Maysville-Mason County Development Association and original member of the Maysville Community College Association and original member of the Maysville Community College Advisory Board. Outspoken supporter of civil rights, job creation, education and social equity. Chosen First Lady of the Year in 1953 by Beta Sigma Phi, Maysville’s Most Distinguished Citizen by the Chamber of Commerce in 1976 and Distinguished Alumni of Maysville High School in 1979. Long associated with historical restoration in the community. Held leadership positions in numerous civic and community efforts, as well as St. Patrick’s Church.
Thomas T. Hammond
Native of Lexington, earned bachelor’s and master’s degree in Equine Genetics from University of Kentucky. Started journalism career with WVLK Radio, serving as sports announcer, news director and program director. Named sports director of WLEX-TV in 1969 and became announcer at the Keeneland sales. Started doing SEC basketball play-by-play for TVS network in 1980, the same year he helped form Hammond Productions, Inc., a video production company specializing in equine production. Hired as a reporter by NBC for first Breeder’s Cup telecast, which won an Eclipse Award. Has been with NBC serving as a Breeder’s Cup host or co-host since 1987. Year-round network duties include play-by-play for National Football League and University of Notre Dame football. Previous experience includes 1992 Olympics, National Basketball Association, NCAA basketball tournaments, college bowl games, major league baseball and other national world sporting events.
Lewis E. Owens
President and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader since 1988. Native of Knoxville. Started his newspaper career in 1956 as an advertising salesman for the Fort Worth Press, following his graduation from Gainesville College in Texas. Served in advertising management positions at the Gainesville (Texas) Daily Register, Charlotte Observer and News, Tallahassee Democrat before being named advertising director at the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1975. Later became vice president for sales and marketing and then general manager. Highly active in the community, served as campaign chairman and president of United Way of the Bluegrass, and as board chairman of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Was president of the Kentucky Press Association in 1984; Most Valuable Member, 1980. Currently serves on numerous civic and community boards and is vice president of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation. An industry leader in circulation pricing, Newspapers in Education programs and newspaper production advancements.
Richard Whitt
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for General Local Reporting in 1978, for his coverage in the Courier-Journal of the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in Southgate, Ky. A native of Greencup County and a graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Journalism, he started his career as a reporter with the Middlesboro Daily News in 1970. Was an assistant state editor of the Waterloo Daily Courier (Iowa) and city editor and assistant managing editor of the Kingsport Times-News (Tennessee) before joining the Courier-Journal in 1977 as Northern Kentucky Bureau reporter. Later became special projects reporter and Capitol Bureau chief for the paper. In 1988 he won the Southern Journalism award from the Institute for Southern Studies for a series on vote fraud in Kentucky; also a Pulitzer finalist for public service. Won the John Hancock Award in 1984 and named a Pulitzer finalist for a series on coal mine safety in Kentucky. Received the Champion Media award in 1983 for a series on the end of the anti-poverty program in Appalachia. Joined the Atlanta Journal & Constitution in 1989 as a reporter, responsible for covering state and local government issues.
1994
Biography
Molly Clowes
Named editor of the editorial page of the Courier-Journal in 1966, believed to be the first woman to hold such a position on a major metropolitan daily newspaper. A native of Birmingham, England, she came to Louisville in 1923 and became a reporter for the Louisville Herald-Post. When the paper failed in 1936, she joined the Courier-Journal as a reporter who also wrote editorials. Concerned about poverty, she spent three months in Eastern Kentucky in 1940, writing an 11-part series entitled “Stories on the Mountains,” later reissued as a booklet. The next year, she turned her full attention to writing editorials, especially about the poor and dispossessed. Especially knowledgeable about European politics, particularly the complexities of the role of the French government in exile during World War II. There is no record of her attending College. “I just learned the trade over 30 years,” she said. Died April 19, 1992.
Larry Craig
Former weekly newspaper editor and publisher. Adjunct professor of journalism, Western Kentucky University. Ordained Southern Baptist minister. Native of Todd County, started newspaper career as a reporter and columnist for Russellville News-Democrat and Logan Leader, covering politics, education and general news. Named editor of Green River Republican in Morgantown in 1980 and bought paper two years later. Gained reputation for strong editorial positions against the Ku Klux Klan and for other unpopular stands. Newspaper office once fired upon, and the church he pastored burned by Klan members, who were sent to prison. Sold newspaper in 1990 and joined journalism staff at Western Kentucky University. Won numerous awards from Kentucky Press Association for investigative reporting, editorials and photography. Popular speaker on press ethics and First Amendment issues. President, Kentucky Press Association, 1989.
David V. Hawpe
Editor of the Courier-Journal since 1987. Graduate of the University of Kentucky, started journalism career with the Associated Press in 1965; later served as editorial writer for the St. Petersburg Times. Joined the Courier-Journal in the Hazard bureau in 1969; since has served as editorial writer, copy editor, assistant state editor and managing editor; also, city editor, the Louisville Times. Was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and taught there and at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. President, Kentucky Press Association, 1990. Also active in the Associated Press Managing Editors association, American Society of Newspaper Editors and a frequent lecturer at the American Press Institute and the Poynter Institute. Vice chairman, University of North Carolina School of Journalism Board of Visitors, and member, Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Pulitzer Prize juror four times.
Jane Morton Norton
Radio-television executive, civic leader, patron of the arts. Entered broadcasting at WAVE Radio in 1943 when her husband went overseas in World War II. Managed the station in his absence and became chairman and CEO of Orion Broadcasting, Inc., a Louisville-based group of five television stations and three radio stations, at his death in 1964. Helped establish WAVE-TV in 1948, Kentucky’s first television station. A year earlier she helped acquire WRXW-FM, Louisville’s first classical music station, which she later donated to the Louisville Free Public Library. Under her leadership, WAVE-TV and Radio tripled its news staff, added a Frankfort bureau, established the city’s first traffic helicopter and weather radar and started a news documentary unit that won a Peabody Award. Served on the Jefferson County School Board and received the highest honors given by the Advertising Club of Louisville, Spalding University and the National Conference of Christians and Jews. A trustee of Centre College, she donated the school’s performing arts structure. Served in leadership capacities in numerous arts organizations. Gifted painter and author. Died August 29, 1988.
Burl Osborne
Publisher and editor, Dallas Morning News, and distinguished newspaper executive. Native of Jenkins in Letcher County, started career as reporter for the Ashland Daily Independent. Joined the Associated Press in 1960, serving in West Virginia, Colorado, Wyoming, Kentucky and Ohio before becoming a news executive in the AP’s Washington bureau. Joined the Dallas Morning News as executive editor in 1980, rising to the position of president and editor in 1985 and publisher and editor in 1991. Currently is chairman of the board of directors of the American Press Institute and a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board. Past president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and vice president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association; active in numerous newspaper and journalistic organizations. In 1990, was named Adweek Newspaper Executive of the Year and received the Long Island University Distinguished Alumni Award. Named Editor of the Year in 1992 by the National Press Foundation. Received a journalism degree from Marshall University and a master’s in business from Long Island University.
1993
Biography
C. Thomas Hardin
Native of Owensboro, graduate of Centre College. Joined the Courier-Journal as staff photographer in 1964; was Sunday Magazine staff photographer, 1969-1975; director of photography and photo and graphics editor, 1975-1993. Named director of photography, the Detroit News, 1993. President, National Press Photographers Association, 1984-85; selected as first Gannett Fellow at Colorado State University Journalist-in-Residence, 1982; numerous speaking and discussion leader roles around the nation. Under his direction, the Courier-Journal photo staff won the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of court-ordered busing, 1976; photo staff won first place in Sports Pictures of the Year competition for Breeder’s Cup section; other photographers under his direction won numerous top national awards. Credited by the chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court as being the major force behind the adoption of cameras in Kentucky courtrooms. Named Southern Photographer of the Year and Regional Photographer of the Year by NPPA; received Joe Costa award. Pulitzer Prize juror two years. Strong advocate of photo-journalism internships. Served in U.S. Army.
Terry Hunt
Senior White House correspondent for the Associated Press. Native of Bellevue and a journalism graduate of the University of Kentucky; started his full-time career with the Associated Press in Louisville in 1968. Following military service, became correspondent in the Providence, Rhode Island, bureau until he moved to the Washington bureau in 1974. Served on the national desk until 1978 when he was assigned to cover the U.S. Senate. Covered the Reagan 1980 campaign, moving to AP’s White House office in 1981. Visited some 40 countries with Presidents Reagan and Bush and covered the U.S.—Soviet summits of the Gorbachev era. Worked as an intern two summers at the Cincinnati Post while in college.
Diane Sawyer
Internationally-recognized television personality, investigative reporter and anchor person. Native of Glasgow, started her broadcast career in Louisville as reporter for WLKY-TV. Held several positions in the Nixon administration before joining CBS News where she spent nine years, including service as State Department correspondent, co-anchor of “CBS Morning News” and “60 Minutes.” Joined ABC News in 1989 as co-anchor of “PrimeTime Live.” Has traveled extensively in U.S. and abroad to report and investigate a wide range of topics and to interview a diverse group of newsmakers and personalities. Was the first American television journalist in history to conduct an interview with the head of the KGB and to tour its headquarters in Moscow. Winner of the National Headliner Award, Sigma Delta Chi Award, Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, Robert F. Kennedy Citation, Emmy Award and the Peabody Award for public service. Graduate, Wellesley College.
1992
Biography
Harry C. Barfield
Broadcast executive in North Carolina and Kentucky for 50 years; with WLEX-TV, Lexington, since 1954. Started career as a radio announcer and advanced in small to medium markets in programming, sales and management. President, Kentucky Broadcasters Association, 1983; served three terms as director. Received Kentucky Mike Award from KBA in 1973; President, Television Association of the Bluegrass, 1990-1991. Also served as chairman, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Kentucky Division, American Cancer Society. Board member, Lexington Better Business Bureau, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army. Chairman, president and general manager of WLEX-TV at the time of his death on October 11, 1991.
Phyllis Knight
Pioneer female broadcast personality for WHAS radio and television for 26 years. Won two Golden Mike Awards from McCall’s magazine as Outstanding Woman in Radio and Television, in 1958 and 1963, for a series urging women to have the Pap test for cervical cancer and another for the misconceptions about adoption procedures. Joined the Louisville stations in 1955 as home director after starting her career at age 17 at a radio station in Champaign, Illinois. Conducted “Small Talk,” a 15-minute television interview program for 13 years on WHAS-TV. Suffered a mental breakdown after six years in the news department developing human interest and medical stories, recovered and returned to work with a six-part series on depression. Made a tradition of wearing fancy hats and changing them each time she was on the air during coverage of Kentucky Derby activities. Was executive director of the WHAS Crusade for Children for six years. Later became executive director for Children’s Hospital Foundation. Received numerous awards for her broadcast work.
Donald B. Towles
Native of Lawrenceburg; journalism graduate, University of Kentucky, 1948. Started career as assistant director of publicity, Commonwealth of Kentucky, and editor, In Kentucky magazine. Reporter and news bureau chief, Pacific Stars and Stripes, Japan, Korea and Okinawa, 1953-1954. Joined the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times in 1956 as public service manager, later directed promotion, public service, circulation and public affairs departments. Named vice president, 1974. Member of the board of directors of Kentucky Press Association for 17 years; president, 1982; wrote revision of state legal publication laws. Officer and director, International Newspaper Promotion Association; only person to serve two terms as president, 1980-1982; editor Promoting the Total Newspaper, 1983; president, Louisville chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, 1991-1992. Received Silver Shovel, highest award from INPA, 1983; Appreciation Award for distinguished service, 1987; Most Valuable Member, KPA, 1972; Distinguished Service to Community, 1987; Outstanding Alumnus, UK School of Journalism, 1982; President’s Award, Boy Scouts of America, 1962. President, UK Journalism Alumni Association, and founder, Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. Former president or chairman, American Red Cross, Heritage Corporation, Louisville Development Program, Medical Center Commission, Explorer Scouts. Serves on numerous civic boards and committees.
1991
Biography
Sam Abell
Internationally-recognized photographer for National Geographic. Graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1969 where he served as a staff photographer for the Kentucky Kernel and as editor of the Kentuckian, which contained an extraordinary photographic essay on life at UK. Became a contract photographer for National Geographic soon after graduation. He has published on cultural and wilderness subjects and has lectured and exhibited his photographs throughout the world. In 1990, Eastman Kodak and Thomasson-Grant published a retrospective monograph of his photographs titled Stay This Moment. A companion exhibit of his photographs was shown at the International Center for Photography in New York City. He has published four other books in the past five years, two on the Civil War, a book on contemplative gardens of the world, and a book on the American west.
Barry Bingham Jr.
Editor and publisher, the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times, 1971-1986. Strong advocate of ethics in journalism. Now publishes Fineline, a journal examining ethical issues. Native of Louisville, graduated from Harvard with degree in history, 1956. Served in U.S. Marine Corps as platoon leader in Okinawa. Worked for CBS in New York before joining the news department of NBC where he did research and field production of documentaries, including “The River Nile” and “Shakespeare: Soul of an Age.” Was vice chairman of the board of WHAS, Inc. and Standard Gravure Corporation. Received the Ida B. Wells award in 1985 for distinguished national leadership in fostering employment opportunities for minorities in American journalism. In 1986, received the top award from the Louisville chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for defending the First Amendment. Past president of Actors Theatre of Louisville, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Fund for the Arts and Bernheim Forest Foundation. Serves on the boards of numerous civic organizations.
Livingston Taylor
Frankfort Bureau reporter for the Courier-Journal, 1964-1987. Won the Gerald Loeb Award for distinguished business and financial journalism for a series of articles in 1973 exposing interest rates paid on state bank deposits. Native of Charleston, Illinois, and a journalism graduate of Northwestern University. Served in U.S. Air Force as a navigation instructor. Started his journalism career as a city hall reporter for the Muncie Star in 1956 and won an American Political Science Association award for outstanding reporting in the field of local government. Joined the Courier-Journal in 1961 in the New Albany office of the Southern Indiana Bureau. Assigned to Frankfort in 1964 and became one of the most respected and accurate reporters in the state capital and was hailed by elected and appointed officials for his determination and courage. After retirement from the Courier-Journal in 1987, he was chairman of a special state commission which drafted election reform legislation.
1990
Biography
James D. Ausenbaugh
Metropolitan newspaperman and journalism educator. Native of Dawson Springs; received degree in journalism from University of Kentucky in 1952. Started career at weekly newspapers in Princeton and Russellville and at The Evansville Press, before joining The Courier-Journal in 1954. Served as copy editor, assistant city editor, city editor and regional editor. Established statewide newsgathering operation and set up gavel-to-gavel legislative coverage. Spent two years as copy editor, telegraph editor and news editor of The Stars and Stripes in Germany as a civilian during the mid-‘60s. Since 1976, he has been a professor of journalism at Western Kentucky University and has led numerous writing and editing seminars for newspapers and institutes around the nation. Named Teacher of the Year at WKU in 1986; awarded International Press Institute fellowship to New Zealand, 1958. Noted for meticulous training of journalism students and professionals.
Russ Metz
Publisher of Bath County News-Outlook, Owingsville, since 1960; weekly newspaper leader; statewide columnist. Native of Tell City, Indiana, veteran of World War II serving with Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. Air Force. Started journalism career in Indiana. Served as president of Kentucky Press Association in 1981 and led drive for organization to purchase its own headquarters and expand membership services; named most valuable member in 1977. Founding member of Kentucky Weekly Newspaper Association; served as president in 1968. Active in National Newspaper Association and International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. His newspaper has won 383 national and state awards for excellence. Writes weekly syndicated column for papers in Kentucky and Midwest. Past president of Owingsville Chamber of Commerce and Bath County Industrial Foundation. Active in numerous civic and youth activities. Exemplifies a “do-it-all-country editor.”
E. Eugene Pell
President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty since 1985. With headquarters in Munich, this organization is responsible for broadcasting more than 1,000 hours per week in 22 languages to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. A native of Paducah, he is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a Master’s Degree in journalism from Boston University. Former director of the Voice of America. Spent more than 20 years in commercial broadcasting as a correspondent and news executive, including various positions with Westinghouse Broadcasting Company; anchorman for WBZ- TV in Boston, national political correspondent in Washington and chief of the foreign news service in London. He joined NBC News in 1978, serving as Moscow correspondent and Pentagon correspondent. Served three years as U.S. Navy officer, including an assignment as program director for Armed Forces Radio. Neiman Fellow at Harvard University, 1974-75, and a Visiting Fellow at Harvard’s Russian Research Center, 1977. Received numerous awards for news reporting.
1989
Biography
John Herchenroeder
Became nation’s first news ombudsman at the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times in 1967. Named to the position within weeks after the New York Times had suggested that the nation’s newspapers needed a readers’ representative to investigate complaints. Handled 3,000 calls annually from readers with complaints or suggestions about news coverage. Instituted daily correction columns in both papers. Spent entire 53-year newspaper career at the Louisville newspapers, starting in 1926. Served in nearly every news capacity at the Courier-Journal, including 20 years as city editor. Covered major news events such as national depression, Kentucky bank failures, many significant metropolitan stories. Native of Louisville, graduate of Male High School, attended University of Louisville. Strong supporter of Male High and Boy Scouts activities. Retired 1979.
Milton Metz
Veteran broadcast personality at WHAS-Radio and WHAS-TV in Louisville. Creator in 1959 of the “Metz Here” public opinion phone-in program on WHAS-Radio, the longest-running show on Louisville radio, one of the oldest in the country. The top-rated program draws calls from 40 states and Canada. Has been with the radio station for 40 years. With WHAS-TV, he co-hosted and co-produced “Omelet,” a talk and interview program for nine years and was the Channel 11 weatherman for 19 years. Awarded a Ford Foundation grant to the United Nations to work in radio, television and film. Received top radio award from American Psychiatric Assn. Started radio career in hometown of Cleveland following graduation from The Ohio State University. Active in community and charitable events.
Moneta J. Sleet, Jr.
First black American to win a Pulitzer Prize for photography, in 1969, for a memorable photo of Coretta Scott King at her husband’s funeral. Native of Owensboro, cum laude graduate of Kentucky State College. Master’s degree in journalism from New York University. Graduate, School of Modern Photography. Since 1955, staff photographer for Johnson Publishing Co., publishers of Ebony, Jet and EM Magazine. Traveled throughout world for Ebony—numerous trips to Africa, as well as Europe, Russia, South America, West Indies. Photographed civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, and the March on Washington, chronicled African independence and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Display of works exhibited nationwide, 1986-1987; also at Martin Luther King Memorial Library, 1988. Cited for excellence by Overseas Press Club, 1957. Early career at Our World magazine.
1988
Biography
John F. Day
Metropolitan newspaper and national broadcast executive. Cum Laude graduate of University of Kentucky where he edited the Kentucky Kernel the year it was named the nation’s best college newspaper. Early journalism experience at the Lexington Leader and the Associated Press in Huntington. Wrote Bloody Ground, a non-fiction book about life in Eastern Kentucky, 1941. Named Nieman Fellow, 1942. Headed central news desk of Office of War Information. Worked at the Cleveland Press and as managing editor of the Dayton Daily News before joining the Courier-Journal in 1948 as Washington correspondent; received Reid Fellowship in 1951 and traveled in Europe for the paper. Named managing editor, 1952. Joined CBS, Inc. in 1955 as top news executive; served six years; directed two Emmy award-winning documentaries. Later worked for Time-Life Broadcast in London. In 1964, bought a partnership in the Exmouth Journal, weekly newspaper in England. Named to University of Kentucky’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni, initiated as distinguished alumnus into Phi Beta Kappa, and gave the Joe Creason Lecture at UK, 1980. Died April 10, 1982.
George Hackett
Veteran Associated Press newsman who has spent entire 44-year career with wire service in Kentucky. Following Army service, joined AP as wirephoto operator in 1944. Later became radio news writer. Appointed news editor for AP in Kentucky in 1955; directed on-site coverage of integration dispute which brought National Guard to Clay and Sturgis. Also directed coverage of 1959 school bus disaster in Prestonsburg which killed 27. Scored 15-minute worldwide beat of disqualification of Dancer’s Image following 1968 Derby. Covered Kentucky General Assembly, coalfields of Eastern Kentucky, 35 Derbies, NCAA Final Four. Named enterprise editor in 1970; started writing weekly column in 1977 on unusual people and places. Trained scores of young journalists who gained success with AP and with various newspapers. Received Distinguished Service Award from Western Kentucky University’s chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, 1982; Kentucky Human Service Award from Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources, 1984. Native of Louisville; attended University of Louisville.
Ralph E. Johnson
Photographer, reporter, editor for the Associated Press for 26 years. Graduated, University of Kentucky, 1937. Early career included position as reporter-photographer, Frankfort State Journal; five years as free-lance photographer in Frankfort for various state newspapers, as well as the AP and Time-Life. Joined the Associated Press as a photo editor in New York City, 1943; later moved to Atlanta to head photo operations in southeast U.S. for 10 years. Organized Atlanta Press Photographers Association. Transferred to Boston office of AP in 1955 as reporter-editor; served 14 years. Did some free-lance work in Massachusetts before joining University of Kentucky School of Journalism in 1974 to establish photojournalism curriculum; also taught news writing until retirement in 1980. Rejoined School of Journalism staff on part-time basis in 1988.
Bennett Roach
Editor and publisher, the Shelby News, 1941-1960. Native of Lawrenceburg, graduate of Transylvania. Started newspaper career with Kentucky Standard, Bardstown, in 1924; later worked for various daily newspapers including New Rochelle, N.Y., Standard-Star, Beckley Post-Herald and the Associated Press in Detroit. Joined the Courier-Journal in 1933, serving in various news capacities until he bought interest in the Shelbyville paper in 1941. Wrote weekly column following retirement. Also wrote stories for 200 newspapers and 100 radio stations in five-state area for Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative. President, Kentucky Press Association, 1952; led fight in General Assembly for stronger legal publications legislation. Avid historian and painter. Active in Presbyterian Church, Rotary, and Filson Club.
Earl Ruby
Sports editor of the Courier-Journal for 30 years. Started with the newspaper in 1921 as an office boy; continues to write an outdoor column. Served in the sports department for 44 years until retirement from full-time position in 1969. Started “Ruby’s Report,” a daily sports column, in 1936; wrote 10,000 daily columns. At time of his retirement, more of his articles had been selected for the annual anthology, Best Sports Stories, than those of any other writer. Won National Headliner Award in 1945; named Sportsman of the Year in 1969 by League of Kentucky Sportsmen; received other national recognition during career; named Kentucky Goodwill ambassador to Olympics in London, Rome and Mexico City. Traveled in Europe, Latin America and Canada covering sports. Made more than 2,500 speeches during career. Widely quoted and reprinted nationally. Founder of Kentucky Derby Festival and Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. Avid hunter and fisherman.
1987
Biography
Fred J. Burkhard
Editor, publisher and contributing editorialist for the Casey County News for 40 years. Strong advocate of open meetings, open records in community. Graduate, Berea College, where he served as student pressman and typographer while attending high school and college; named Distinguished Alumnus, 1973. Started career as a printer and teacher of printing. Bought Casey County News in 1947, increased circulation from 2,200 to 6,200. Advocated economic, social and educational progress in Liberty and Casey County; encouraged scores of local students to pursue college education; served as deputy coroner for 26 years without pay; elected to Liberty City Council two terms; charter president, Liberty Kiwanis Club. Served on board of directors and as president of Berea College Alumni Association; president, Kentucky Press Association, 1963. On retirement from fulltime newspaper career, an area daily paper editorialized, “He was not only the editor and publisher of Casey County . . . he was the servant.”
David Dick
Distinguished career with CBS News as radio and television news reporter, 1966-1985. Based in Washington, Atlanta, Caracas, Dallas; covered Jonestown massacre in Guyana, political and economic developments in South America, civil war in Nicaragua and El Salvador, invasion of Falkland Islands. Also, three presidential campaigns of George Wallace, four national political conventions, the White House during Johnson, Nixon administrations, other Washington assignments. Received Emmy award for coverage of shooting of Gov. George Wallace, 1972; Press Club of Dallas “Katie” Award for best television feature story, 1980; Kentucky Broadcasters Association Distinguished Kentuckian Award, 1974; UK School of Journalism for Outstanding Contributions, 1978; delivered seventh annual Joe Creason Lecture, University of Kentucky, 1984. Received B.A. and M.A. degrees from UK; joined WHAS in 1959, serving in various news capacities. Native of Bourbon County. Became associate professor, UK School of Journalism, July 1985.
Hugh Haynie
Editorial cartoonist for the Courier-Journal since 1958. Named one of Ten Outstanding Young Men of the nation by U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1962; Headliner Award, 1966; Freedoms Foundation Medal, 1966 and 1970; Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Service Award and Bronze Medallion, 1971. Received Alumni Medallion for service and loyalty to alma mater from The College of William and Mary, 1977. Named Civil Libertarian of the Year by Kentucky Civil Liberties Union, 1978. Past member, Board of Directors, Society of Alumni, The College of William and Mary. Listed in various editions of Who’s Who. Published Hugh Haynie: Perspective, book of selected cartoons, 1974. Native of Virginia; A.B. from The College of William and Mary; L.H.D. University of Louisville. Early newspaper career, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Greensboro Daily News, Atlanta Journal. Served in U.S. Coast Guard, 1944-46 and 1951-52, Pacific and Atlantic, retired Lieutenant.
Allan M. Trout
Legendary Frankfort correspondent and Folk columnist for the Courier-Journal where he worked for 39 years. Covered 15 regular sessions of the General Assembly and 75 primary and general elections. Wrote 8,998 daily columns entitled, “Greetings,” containing more than 5 million words. Claimed he expressed “the plain man’s bewilderment at the complicated mess society is in. I am the articulate spokesman of a great many people who wonder where in hell we’re headed for.” Noted expert on Kentucky constitution and state government. Began 50-year newspaper career in his native Tennessee, graduated from Georgetown College, once owned weekly Jackson Times. Won honorable mention, Pulitzer Prize, 1932; named distinguished alumnus, Georgetown College; twice received the Governors Medallion for distinguished public service; named dean of the Senate, 1962; served four-year term on State Board of Education after retirement. Combination of folk writer and scholarly reporter. Died December 8, 1972.
1986
Biography
Creed Black
Chairman and publisher, Lexington Herald-Leader since 1977. Native of Harlan, started newspaper career at age 17 as reporter on Paducah Sun-Democrat. Served with 100th Division in Germany during World War II, received Bronze Star for heroism; worked on Stars and Stripes. Graduate, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, with honors in political science; Master’s degree in political science, University of Chicago. Worked on copy desks of Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Herald-American; editorial writer and executive editor, the Nashville Tennessean; vice president and executive editor, the Savannah Morning News and Evening Press; vice president and executive editor, the Wilmington Morning News and Evening Journal; managing editor and executive editor, Chicago Daily News; vice president and editor, the Philadelphia Inquirer. Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare during Nixon administration. Former president, National Conference of Editorial Writers and American Society of Newspaper Editors, 1983-1984. Former member, board of directors, SNPA; currently treasurer, SNPA Foundation. Served as Pulitzer juror five times. Received alumni medal from Northwestern University in 1973 for “outstanding achievement.”
Tom and Pat Gish
Owners of the Mountain Eagle at Whitesburg, which they purchased 30 years ago. Both graduates of the University of Kentucky; Tom, native of Letcher county. Pat, former reporter for the Lexington Leader; Tom, former Frankfort bureau chief, United Press International and president, Capitol Press Club. The Mountain Eagle, under Gish influence, a powerful editorial voice in Letcher County and eastern Kentucky, attacking wrongdoing by Letcher County Fiscal Court, local school board, state and local officials, and the strip-mining industry. Newspaper offices burned in 1974 in a deliberately-set fire; newspaper continued from the Gish home. The crusading newspaper has attracted international attention, received award from University of Kentucky, recognition from National Press Club. Tom Gish received John Peter Zenger Award for freedom of the press in 1975, named Kentucky’s public citizen of the year in 1978 by Kentucky chapter, National Association of Social Workers. Pat Gish served as director, Eastern Kentucky Housing Development Corp.
John Ed Pearce
Columnist and writer, the Courier–Journal Magazine. Graduate, University of Kentucky; graduate work at Columbia University and Harvard University, where he was a Nieman Fellow in 1958. Started journalism career as reporter for Time-Life and United Press, later edited the Somerset Journal. Joined the Courier-Journal as associate editor and editorial writer. Shared in the Pulitzer Prize won in 1967 by the Courier-Journal for its successful fight for stronger strip-mining controls. Awarded the Governor’s Medallion for public service in conservation; won the National Headliner Award, the Meeman Award, three awards from National Bar Association, Freedom Foundation Award. Named Outstanding Kentucky Journalist in 1985 by Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi. Published numerous articles and short stories for national magazines, a novel, a volume of history and several television plays. Adviser and speechwriter for four Kentucky governors; chairman, State Oral History Commission. Navy veteran, World War II, retired commander.
O. Leonard Press
Executive director, Kentucky Authority for Educational Television since 1963. Interim director, newly-created Broadcast Facilities Program, U.S. Office of Education, 1963; head, Department of Radio, Television, Films, and director of broadcasting service, University of Kentucky, 1958-63; consultant for national educational radio and television; former instructor, Boston Center for Continuing Education and Emerson College. Chairman, National Association of Educational Broadcasters, 1973; former vice-chairman, National Association of Public Television Stations; chairman, Public Television Managers Council, 1972; former chairman, Southern Educational Communications Association; active in various other public and educational television groups. Board member, Agency for Instructional Telecommunications.
David B. Whitaker
Head of the Department of Journalism at Western Kentucky University from its inception in 1977 until his retirement from that position in 1984. Continues as professor in department. Joined Western in 1970 as coordinator of news-editorial sequence; named distinguished Business Advisor in 1973 by National Council of College Publications Advisers. Noted for establishment of journalism department at Western, bringing quality instructors to the school, eliminating debt of student newspaper, College Heights Herald, and guiding it to national prominence as winner of three national and two regional Pacemaker awards. Named WKU outstanding professor in 1978 by Phi Eta Sigma, freshman scholastic honorary; honored in 1977 and 1984 by student chapter of Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi; former president, Kentucky Council for Education in Journalism. Gained accreditation for Western’s journalism program. Former sports writer and slot man for the Courier-Journal, copy editor for the Louisville Times; former city editor, Park City Daily News, B.A. and M.A. from Western.
1985
Biography
Ollie M. James
Former chief editorial writer and humor columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Native of Kuttawa in Lyon County, attended University of Louisville and University of Kentucky. Started journalism career with the Lexington Herald. Later worked as a political writer and Washington correspondent for the Louisville Herald-Post, before joining the Enquirer in 1936 as editorial writer and assistant managing editor. Became chief editorial writer in 1944. Perhaps best known for his humorous column, “The Innocent Bystander,” which appeared seven times a week for 30 years, beginning in 1940. The column contained sage political advice and practical observations on human nature, gained great popularity throughout Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Covered numerous national political conventions. Hosted a radio show in Cincinnati area. Noted as after-dinner speaker and story teller. Received Ohio Governor’s Award, state’s highest honor for outstanding service, from Governor James Rhodes in 1969. Died January 26, 1972.
J.S. Moran
Editor emeritus of the Springfield Sun, which he purchased nearly 69 years ago. At age 97, is nation’s oldest working journalist. Continues to write an award-winning weekly column, “Through My Bifocals,” widely read in Washington County. Received the first Outstanding Citizen of the Year award in 1965 from the Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce. As chairman of the local Red Cross chapter, directed the care of 400 refugees from the flood in Louisville in 1937. Former member, Springfield Board of Education; served three two-year terms, advisory council, St. Catherine College; named Writer of the Year in 1969 by Kentucky Farm Bureau; was correspondent reporter for the Louisville Herald-Post and the Courier-Journal; Associated Press representative in Central Kentucky; member, Springfield Lions Club for 26 years; Springfield Masonic Lodge for 40 years. Instrumental in having Ky. Route 555 constructed from Bluegrass Parkway to Springfield. Strong supporter of proposed Camp Ground Reservoir. Once wrote: “It’s not the high cost of living that’s damaged this country, it’s the cost of high living.”
William L. Stakelin
President and chief executive officer, Radio Advertising Bureau, since 1983. Started broadcast career in 1956 as a high school student at WAXU Radio in hometown of Georgetown. Following graduation from Georgetown College in 1965, joined Bluegrass Broadcasting in Lexington as program manager of WVLK AM-FM, later becoming station manager and vice president and general manager. After becoming chief executive of WHOO AM-FM in Orlando, promoted to executive vice president of Bluegrass Broadcasting Group, responsible for radio and television properties in Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Youngest person to become chairman of the board of National Association of Broadcasters, highest elected position in American broadcasting, in 1982. Active in industry and community affairs, served on board of Florida Association of Broadcasters, president of ABC Radio Network Affiliates Board, and on Broadcast Industry Council to Improve American Productivity. Elected to Board of Directors of Broadcast Pioneers, 1984. Strong advocate of radio news coverage, use of mobile news vans, traffic information provided by airplanes and helicopters.
Roy Steinfort
Vice president and director of broadcast services for the Associated Press. Native of Covington, graduate of the University of Kentucky, started career as reporter for the Courier-Journal. Later served as UK sports publicity director under Coach Bear Bryant before joining the AP in New Orleans, where he covered Kefauver crime hearings and the Louisiana legislature when Earl Long was governor. In 1953, purchased the Aberdeen Examiner, which three times was selected as Mississippi’s best weekly newspaper. Learned to fly while in Aberdeen. Rejoined AP in 1961 to sell its broadcast wire to stations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Moved to New York in 1964 to accept responsibility for AP’s relations with major broadcast groups. Started AP’s non-commercial news network which today has over a thousand affiliate stations; hired first woman executive for AP. Currently directs news distribution to broadcast affiliates; strongly supported the start-up of high speed service to both radio and television stations; directed completion of AP’s new broadcast facility in Washington. Assumed current responsibilities in 1975; elected vice president two years later.
Carol Sutton
First woman managing editor of a major metropolitan newspaper, the Courier-Journal, 1974-1976. Named one of its Women of the Year by Time Magazine, 1976. From J.C. Penney—University of Missouri, received top award for excellence in editing, and top fashion reporting award for exposing the acceptance of gifts by writers covering New York’s fashion scene, a practice now considered unethical. While she was managing editor, the Courier-Journal won Sigma Delta Chi and Roy Howard awards for public service for coverage of school desegregation in Louisville. Leader in recruitment of minority professionals. Frequent discussion leader at American Press Institute; chairman of Pulitzer Prize juries, 1975 and 1976; member of Nieman Fellows selection committee, 1976; former member of Great Lakes District and Kentucky selection committees for Rhodes Scholars, adviser to Presstime. Native of St. Louis; graduate University of Missouri School of Journalism; joined the Courier-Journal, 1955. Was senior editor for news administration, the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times. Died February 19, 1985.
Nehemiah M. Webb
Founder of the Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, Letcher County, in 1903, at a time when 24 contiguous head-water counties in Eastern Kentucky had no printing press. Born on a mountain farm in 1865, attended a log cabin school learning land surveying. Taught school for several years. Struggled against terrible odds to start his paper in an area where most people were illiterate, roads were nearly impassable and travel was mainly by horseback. Once commented, “I started life as a poor farmer, became a poor surveyor and then a poor school teacher, and now I am a poor newspaperman!” Was first Kentucky mountain journalist to have photograph displayed in Library of Congress. Served eight years as postmaster of Whitesburg during the terms of President Woodrow Wilson. Credited with helping improve economic and educational conditions in Letcher County, especially after the opening of coal fields and coming of railroad in 1912. Started the Neon News about 1926. Continued to write for papers after reorganization forced by bankruptcy during the depression. Died July 30, 1945.
1984
Biography
Mark F. Ethridge
Served in top management positions at the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times for 27 years, 1936-1963, a period when the Louisville newspapers achieved significant national recognition. General manager, vice president, publisher, chairman of the board. After retirement in Louisville, was editor of Newsday for two years; taught journalism at the University of North Carolina. Native of Mississippi, started newspaper work after high school as a writer for the Meridian Star. Went to Georgia in 1915 as reporter on the Columbus Enquirer-Sun; then served at the Macon Telegraph as city editor, managing and associate editor before becoming general manager and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. After World War II, assigned by the State Department to study the governments of Romania and Bulgaria and to investigate Greek border disorders. Chairman, U.S. Advisory Commission on Information; Fair Employment Practice Commission. President, National Association of Broadcasters, 1938; vice president and director, the Associated Press, 1950-1960; trustee, Ford Foundation. Honored by National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters and Columbia University. Six honorary degrees. Died April 5, 1981.
J. A. McCauley
Journalism professor at University of Kentucky for 30 years, 1946-1976. Started journalism career as editor of Cynthiana Democrat and Central Record, Lancaster, following seven years as high school teacher. Became reporter for the Lexington Herald in 1942; was editorial writer for 20 years. Joined UK Department of Journalism staff in 1946; later served as associate chairman; directed Kentucky High School Press Clinic. Founder and executive secretary, Kentucky Council for Education in Journalism. Advised student journalism groups and student publications; founded Henry Watterson Press Club, which obtained Sigma Delta Chi charter. Coauthor Learning About Mass Communications, 1972, Modern Journalism, 1962; edited News Manual and Stylebook, 1964. Journalism degree, University of Missouri, 1930; Master of Arts, University of Kentucky, 1948. Listed, Who’s Who in American Education.
Sy Ramsey
State Capitol correspondent for the Associated Press for 21 years, 1962-1983, spanning the administrations of six governors. Hailed by government leaders and fellow newsmen for fairness and accuracy. Native of New York, graduate of University of Oklahoma, worked for newspapers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi before joining AP in Little Rock in 1956, later covering school desegregation. Transferred to AP Louisville bureau in 1958. Covered presidential conventions for AP in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976. President, Capitol Press Club; wrote a weekly statehouse column for AP members; appeared frequently on Kentucky Educational Television’s weekly “Comment on Kentucky” program, focusing on government events. Died October 26, 1983.
William J. Small
President since 1982 of United Press International, world’s largest independently-owned news service. After receiving Master of Arts in social services from University of Chicago in 1951, started journalistic career as news director of WLS Radio, Chicago. Served as news director of WHAS-Radio and WHAS-TV in Louisville, 1956-1962, winning numerous awards and bringing station to position of news eminence. Served at CBS News for 17 years beginning in 1962 as chief of Washington bureau; later was senior vice president, director of news, and vice president, Washington, CBS, Inc. Became president of NBC News in 1979. Author of two books, To Kill A Messenger: Television and the Real World and Political Power of the Press. Both books won distinguished service awards form the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, of which he served as president in 1974 and from which he received the group’s highest award in 1979. Received the Madison Award for work on behalf of the First Amendment in 1983. President, Radio-Television News Directors Association, 1960; received association’s top award. Winner of National Headliner Award.
Thomas R. Underwood
Editor, state Democratic leader. Started newspaper career while in high school in Hopkinsville. Joined the Lexington Herald as reporter in 1916; later served as city editor, managing editor, general manager. Became the paper’s second editor in 1935. Devotee of thoroughbred industry; wrote a turf column for the Herald; helped form the National Association of State Racing Commissioners, secretary, 14 years; 16 years as secretary of Kentucky State Racing Commission. Edited Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding and co-authored a humorous book, Call Me Horse. Active in Democratic politics; served as chairman of party’s state executive committee and in various other capacities. Elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 1948; re-elected, 1950. Appointed U.S. Senator, 1951. Noted after dinner speaker. Served as president, Kentucky Press Association, Lexington Board of Commerce, Lexington Optimist Club, Blue Grass Automobile Club. Honorary Degree, University of Kentucky; named to UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Died June 29, 1956.
1983
Biography
John Mack Carter
Only person who has been editor of all three of America’s most influential women’s magazines—Good Housekeeping, Ladies’ Home Journal and McCall’s. Native of Murray, worked at Murray Ledger & Times while attending Murray State University; graduated with Master’s degree in Journalism from University of Missouri. Received Walter Williams Award for Writing from Sigma Delta Chi in 1949; named one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year” in 1963 by U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce; honored as “Publisher of the Year” in 1977 by Brandeis University; “Headliner of the Year” by Women in Communications, Inc. in 1978; Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism in 1979. Received honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Murray State University in 1971. Appointed to various national commissions by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford and Carter. Serves on the boards of numerous national charitable organizations. Now serves as editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping and director of new magazine development for the Hearst Corporation.
J. B. Faulconer
Started journalism career as radio sportscaster on station WLAP in Lexington in 1940 following graduation from the University of Kentucky. Established South’s largest regional sports network for broadcast of UK football and basketball games. Served as Infantry commander during World War II; received battlefield promotion to lieutenant colonel at age 26; awarded Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star for Valor. Was commanding general of 100th Division, 1970- 1973; retired as major general, U.S. Army Reserve. Became public relations director, Keeneland Association, 1955; author of Racing in the Finest Tradition. Distinguished alumnus, UK; Named Outstanding Young Man of Lexington and Kentucky by local and state Junior Chambers of Commerce. Named executive vice president and director, Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America, Inc. Master of ceremonies and later executive producer, Eclipse Awards. Active in civic and Thoroughbred racing organizations.
A.B. Guthrie
Received the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1950 for his novel, The Way West. Native of Bedford, Indiana, grew up in Montana, joined the Lexington Leader as a reporter in 1926; later became city editor and executive editor before resigning in 1947 to devote full time to writing. Nieman Fellow, 1944-1945. As an editor, campaigned to rid Lexington of outside toilets; investigated mistreatment of patients at Eastern State Hospital, resulting in dismissal of hospital management; helped stop the sale of raw milk in the city. Taught writing at the University of Kentucky. Moved back to Montana in 1953. Wrote numerous Western novels, including The Big Sky, These Thousand Hills, Arfive, The Last Valley, and Fair Land, Fair Land. Also wrote other books, articles and screenplays.
Arthur Krock
Only person to receive three Pulitzer Prizes and a special Pulitzer citation for outstanding reporting. Native of Glasgow, KY. Started career as a cub reporter on the Louisville Herald in 1906; became Washington correspondent for the Louisville Times in 1910 and a year later also began writing for the Courier-Journal; became editorial director for both Louisville papers in1915 and was editor-in-chief of the Times when he left Louisville in 1923. Closely associated with Henry Watterson in Louisville; compiled book The Editorials of Henry Watterson, after Watterson’s death. Worked for the New York World as assistant to publisher before joining the New York Times in 1927 and becoming head of the Washington bureau in 1932. Was author of the column, “In the Nation, “ for 32 years before his retirement in 1966. Career spanned the activities of 11 presidents and American involvement in four major wars. Highly respected by those he covered and worked with, was hailed as one of the most influential American journalists of his time. Widely traveled at home and abroad, held honorary degrees from Princeton University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Centre College. Received the Medal of Freedom, highest U.S. recognition to a civilian, in 1970. Died April 12, 1974.
Victor R. Portmann
Journalism professor at University of Kentucky for 39 years. First secretary-manager of Kentucky Press Association, a position held for 24 years. Native of Minnesota, started journalism career in 1911 on a weekly newspaper owned by his father. World War I combat veteran. Acting head of journalism department at University of Arkansas before coming to UK in 1927, where he specialized in teaching community journalism. Helped reorganize Kentucky Press Association in 1941, established permanent headquarters at UK, helped start Kentucky Press Service and Kentucky Journalism Foundation. Served as president of Newspaper Association Managers in 1951-52; also served on board of directors of National Newspaper Association. Active in Oleika Shrine Temple in Lexington; served as editor of lodge publication for 20 years. Died October 16,1981.
Frank L. Stanley, Sr.
Publisher, educator, civil rights leader. Headed the English department at Jackson State College and Louisville Central High School; football and basketball coach. Started journalism career as reporter for the Louisville Defender in 1930; later became owner and publisher. Co-founder of the National Newspaper Publishers Association; served as president five times. Won more than 35 national awards in journalism, including the President’s Secret Service Award of the NNPA in 1970 and the Wendell Willkie Award for Public Service, presented by President Truman. Received honorary doctorate from Allen University and citation from Lincoln University for outstanding journalism. Drafted legislation in 1950 that led to integration of state’s public universities; wrote the bill creating the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. Named by U.S. War Department in 1946 to head study of troop segregation in Europe; subsequent report paved way for desegregation. Wrote award-winning, syndicated column, “People, Places and Problems.” Died October 19, 1974.
Elmer G. Sulzer
Established broadcast departments and teaching curricula at University of Kentucky and Indiana University. Built studios and began broadcasting radio programs from UK in 1929, using facilities of WHAS. Later fed UK-originated programs at WLAP, as well as Mutual and CBS radio networks. Established first university-owned radio station in U.S. at UK. Founded UK Publicity Bureau in 1929. Attracted international attention by starting “listening centers” in Eastern Kentucky to provide residents with broadcast service. Won a George Foster Peabody Award in 1942 for a series on venereal disease, a program which caused great controversy. Started career at UK as music instructor and director of bands. Left UK in 1952 to head broadcast department at IU. Was internationally respected authority on abandoned railroads; author of several railroad books, including Ghost Railroads of Kentucky. Died February 15, 1976.
Henry Ward
Reporter, editor, publisher, public administrator. Started journalism career as cub reporter for the Paducah News Democrat in 1928, later the Paducah Sun Democrat. Served as city editor from 1935 to 1942, when named associate editor. Active in Paducah civic affairs. Member of Kentucky House of Representatives, 1934-1942; Kentucky State Senate, 1946-1948. Left Paducah paper in 1948 to become state Commissioner of Conservation; expanded Kentucky state park system and tourism program; later served as state Commissioner of Highways; Democratic nominee for governor in 1967. Strong supporter of watchdog role of press in government, represented the interests of the press in the Kentucky legislature. Became publisher of the Paducah Sun Democrat in 1968; also served as president, Kentucky Independent College Foundation, chairman, Louisville Riverfront Commission. Significant contribution to Kentucky journalism centered on the guidance, counsel and training given to a large number of younger Kentucky journalists throughout his journalistic and public career.
1982
Biography
Irvin S. Cobb
Noted reporter, author, humorist. Native of Paducah, started journalistic career on the Paducah Daily News at age 17; became nation's youngest managing editor at 19. Later worked for the Cincinnati Post and the Louisville Evening Post. Was first reporter to reach the side of Gov. William Goebel after his assassination in Frankfort in 1900. He called his story on the shooting of Goebel his finest piece of reporting. At age 28, went to New York, working for several newspapers there; began writing a humorous column. Later turned to magazine writing, covering World War I for the Saturday Evening Post. Was a gifted after-dinner speaker and teller of tales; a close friend of and co-star in movies with Will Rogers. He estimated that he wrote 60 books; tried his hand unsuccessfully at writing drama and musical reviews. Received Legion of Honor from France, honorary degrees from two universities, and had parks, drinks, public works, a bridge, hotel and apartment building named after him. Died March 10, 1944.
John L. Crawford
Publisher emeritus, Corbin Times-Tribune; was publisher 1928-1980. Continues to write column, "Ravelings," which has received many awards. Born 1897 in Gamaliel, Ky., where he later worked as assistant bank cashier. Started newspaper career as reporter for Nashville Banner in 1926; later worked at Hazard Leader and as editor of Whitesburg Mountain Eagle. President of Kentucky Press Association in 1936; received Edwards M. Templin Memorial Award for outstanding community service, 1974. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, he received distinguished journalism alumni award, 1975. President, First National Bank of Corbin; former president of the Corbin Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. Founded and led local industrial commission. Active in civic affairs.
Billy Davis
Former director of photography for the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times. Served in photography department for 43 years, over 30 years as director. Best known for striking aerial photographs of Kentucky and southern Indiana. One of Davis' aerial pictures, "Flood in the Mountains," won seven major professional awards and was on exhibition at The Hague and at the 1964 World's Fair. Under his direction, the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times photography department earned a national reputation for excellence. Took his first aerial view of Louisville during the 1937 flood while working for the Associated Press and the Chattanooga News. His photographs were published in a book, Over Kentucky - 40 Years of Aerial Photography, published 1981. Photos have appeared in national publications. Winner of numerous photo awards. Served in World War II as personal photographer to Admiral C. Turner Joy.
Alice Allison Dunnigan
Chief of the Washington Bureau of the Associated Negro Press, 1947-1961. First Black woman to receive accreditation to the Senate and House of Representatives press galleries; first to hold a White House press pass; first to become a member of the State Department Correspondents Association. Articles have appeared in 112 weekly newspapers throughout United States and abroad. Decorated by President of Haiti for reporting; received more than 50 awards for outstanding achievement in journalism and community service. Held appointments from President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon Johnson to work in areas of equal opportunity and youth opportunity. Native of Russellville; taught school in Logan and Todd counties; first worked for the Owensboro Enterprise and the Louisville Defender before moving to Washington in 1942.
Russell Dyche
Editor of the Sentinel-Echo in London for 50 years. Born in 1884 over the office where his father operated the London Mountain Eagle. Started in the newspaper business after only a year in high school. Later graduated from National Normal University in Ohio, 1907. Returned to London and again entered the newspaper business. Fought for all-weather roads around London; used his own money to set up adequate fire protection and purchase fire hydrants. Instrumental in the creation of Levi Jackson State Park near London. As director of state parks during administration of Gov. Simeon S. Willis, donated part of his salary to improve the park. An ardent conservationist and historian, inaugurated the Laurel County Homecoming and was active in numerous civic efforts. Active Republican, he was former president of the First National Bank of London and the Kentucky Press Association. Died November 17, 1959.
Lawrence W. Hager
Founder and chairman of the boards of Owensboro Publishing Co. and Owensboro Broadcasting Co. Moved to Owensboro in 1910 after receiving Master of Arts from Centre College at age 20. Over the next 70 years, education, health, transportation, politics, charity and civic groups were influenced by Hager and the newspaper he headed. Founded the Goodfellows Club, which has provided Christmas parties for thousands of underprivileged children since 1916. Active in state Democratic politics. Consolidated Owensboro's two newspapers in 1929 and started WOMI, city's first radio station. First newspaper job as reporter for Frankfort State Journal. President of Kentucky Press Association, 1933; received association's award for "community service through journalism," 1970. Helped establish Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and Owensboro Rotary Club. Honorary degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Henry H. Hornsby
Former editor, Lexington Leader. Spent entire newspaper career on the Lexington newspapers, first joining the Lexington Leader as a correspondent in 1938, later became reporter, sports editor, city editor and executive editor. Also, farm editor, the Lexington Herald. Was a Neiman Fellow at Harvard, 1946. Wrote columns for the Sunday Herald-Leader and the Lexington Leader. Wrote a novel, Lonesome Valley, published 1949. Won fellowships to the annual Bread Loaf Writers Conference, Middlebury College, Vermont, 1947 and 1948. Honored as distinguished alumnus of University of Kentucky School of Journalism, 1974. A native of Clay County, he never lost his love for the mountains, the outdoors and gardening. Appointed to the Fayette County Purgation Board, 1951.
Cawood Ledford
Sportscaster and sports director for WHAS radio and television for 22 years. Named Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year seven times. Native of Cawood in Harlan County; graduated from Centre College. Started broadcast career announcing sports for radio station WHLN in Harlan; later joined WLEX in Lexington. In 1956, joined the sports staff of WHAS; became sports director two years later. Marine Corps veteran of World War II. Formed own radio-television production company in 1979. Called the “Voice of UK Sports,” is also recognized as an outstanding horse racing announcer. Honored in 1978, during halftime ceremonies at Rupp Arena, for 25 years of broadcasting UK games.
Niel Plummer
Directed journalism education at the University of Kentucky, 1940-1965. Joined UK as part-time journalism instructor in 1929; became full faculty member a year later. Received Master of Arts from UK, 1932 and Ph.D., 1940 from University of Wisconsin. Named to a full professorship and made head of the journalism department, 1940, having previously served as acting director. Largely responsible for completion of a new journalism building, financed by profits from operations of the Kernel Press, 1951. Authority on etymology and law of the press. Was reporter, state editor and city editor of the Lexington Herald; also worked for International News Service. Directed student publications and managed printing operations at UK. Received Kentucky Press Association’s first President’s Cup for outstanding service, 1959. Contributing author of two books.
Don Whitehead
Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent for the Associated Press. Cited for his first-hand coverage under fire of the Marine crossing of the Han River during the Korean War. As one of three newsmen accompanying President-elect Eisenhower on a secret trip to Korea in 1952, won his second Pulitzer Prize. Covered World War II in North Africa and in Europe and landed with the first assault troops in France on D-Day. Was the first reporter to enter Paris before its capture by the Allies. Was awarded the Medal of Freedom by the U.S. Army for achievement as a war correspondent; also received a Polk Award for distinguished reporting. Covered domestic events and politics for the Associated Press. Wrote five books. Born at the Kentucky-Virginia border, spent boyhood in Harlan. Attended the University of Kentucky; awarded honorary degree in 1948. Early newspaper experience on the Harlan Daily Enterprise and the Knoxville Journal; later was Washington bureau chief of the New York Herald-Tribune. Died January 12, 1981.
1981
Biography
Barney Arnold
Farm director, WHAS, Inc., 1952-1978. Three times received Kentucky Farm Bureau’s communications award; also received the National Farm-City award for the “creative dramatization of the interdependence of farm and city.” The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana Farmer’s Union, Future Farmers of America, Mid-South Fair and the Hoosier Cooperative Clinic have recognized him for his role in the area’s agricultural community. Traveled over 20,000 miles a year to gather first-hand reports for WHAS Radio and Television. Served as information specialist with the USDA War Board during World War II; later became farm director of KVOO in Tulsa. Former vice president of National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
William B. Arthur
Executive director of the National News Council, formed in 1973 to consider complaints of the inaccuracy or unfairness of news disseminated by national news organizations and to deal with complaints from the media of attempts to restrict freedom of news-gathering. Former editor, managing editor and assistant managing editor of Look magazine. Served as chief of the press branch of the war Department Bureau of Public Relations during World War II; discharged as an Army lieutenant colonel; received Legion of Merit. Started journalism career as a sports writer. Later was reporter, copy editor and assistant sports editor of the Courier-Journal. Received honorary degree and distinguished alumni award from the University of Kentucky. Former president of Sigma Delta Chi. Active in professional, civic, community and religious organizations.
Clay Wade Bailey
Veteran Frankfort reporter for various newspapers, covering events in the state capital for 46 years. Knew every Kentucky governor or governor-to-be from J.C.W. Beckham to John Y. Brown, Jr. Started journalism career in 1927 as assistant to chief of the Courier-Journal’s Frankfort bureau, uncovering numerous scandals in state government. Served as reporter and columnist for the Kentucky Post. Was manager of the Frankfort bureau of United Press and correspondent for the Lexington Herald and the Lexington Leader. Named state director of publicity in 1948, returned to newspaper work eight years later. Had an uncanny photographic memory and the ability to read government documents upside down which he saw on officials’ desks. Bridge over the Ohio River at Covington named in his honor. Died February 19, 1974.
Barry Bingham, Sr.
Guided the Courier-Journal and the Louisville Times to greater national prominence starting in 1937 when he succeeded his father as chief officer of the newspaper company. Under his leadership, the papers received six Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other national awards, including rankings in the top 10 newspapers of America. Established WHAS-TV and built Standard Gravure Corporation as printer of Sunday newspaper magazines. Served 39 months overseas as U.S. Navy officer during World War II; received Bronze Star twice. Made study missions to Europe to report on occupation conditions; given rank of Commandeur, Legion d’Honneur, by French government for service. Fulbright lecturer at Oxford, England, in 1955. Commander, Order of the British Empire. Holds honorary degrees from eight colleges and universities. Twice elected overseer of Harvard University. Chairman, American Press Institute advisory board, 1962-68. Advisory Board for Pulitzer Prizes, 1956-68; Honorary President, Sigma Delta Chi, 1956-57; Chairman, International Press Institute, 1964-66. Strong supporter of human rights, conservation and enrichment of arts. Now chairman of the board of family companies.
Joe Creason
Sports reporter, feature writer and columnist for the Courier-Journal, 1941-1974. Editor of the Benton Tribune-Democrat and Murray Ledger & Times before joining the Courier-Journal. Traveled hundreds of thousands of miles through every county in Kentucky in search of material for feature stories and his popular column, “Joe Creason’s Kentucky,” which were collected into two books and a record album. An avid historian, in 1960 he coordinated the writing of “The Civil War in Kentucky,” the first newspaper supplement to win the National Civil War Centennial Commission’s award of Distinction. Was president of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association and the Kentucky Tennis Patrons Foundation. Hailed by Jesse Stuart as a “goodwill ambassador” for his newspaper and for Kentucky. Died August 14, 1974.
Herndon J. Evans
Editor of the Lexington Herald, 1956-1967. For 32 years, editor and publisher of the Pineville Sun. Previously worked as state editor of the Courier-Journal, and for the State Journal and the Associated Press in Frankfort. An ardent conservationist, fought for the preservation of the Cumberland Falls area as a state park. Was president of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival and served as U.S. Court Commissioner for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Promoted the Kentucky state park system through his editorials in Pineville and Lexington and was a member of the State Parks Board. Past president, Kentucky Press Association. Active in Democratic politics in Kentucky. Was a member of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. In 1967, received the Governor’s Award of Merit. Author of The Newspaper Press in Kentucky, 1976. Died February 26, 1976.
Livingston Gilbert
Newscaster and anchorman for WAVE radio and television for almost 40 years. Started as an announcer with WAVE radio in 1941. When WAVE-TV went on the air, began a dual radio-television career. First television newscast was in 1948. Remained sole newscaster on WAVE-TV until 1972 when he worked with his first partner on the news show. Spent entire career at WAVE, never apologized for the fact that he was not a writer or a journalist but a deliverer of the news. Distinguished career unmatched for longevity by any other local broadcaster in the country. During his final broadcast at the end of 1980, said he hoped he would be remembered for his “integrity.” Spent three days a week reading books for the American Printing House for the Blind. Died February 7, 1981.
Julian Goodman
Former chairman of the board and chief executive officer for the National Broadcasting Company. A native of Glasgow, attended Western Kentucky State College before graduating from George Washington University. Started working for NBC while in school, first as a news writer for WRC in Washington. Held various editorial and executive posts at NBC until he was named executive vice president in October, 1965. Two months later, became NBC’s chief administrative officer and three months after that was elected president, a post he held until 1974. Strong advocate of freedom of broadcasting, initiated a number of major innovations at NBC. Holds the distinguished alumnus award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Received the National Association of Broadcasters highest award for “leadership in advancing and protecting the concepts of free broadcasting.”
Enoch Grehan
Founded the University of Kentucky Department of Journalism in 1914 and served as its head until 1937. Under his direction, the department became one of the nation’s pioneers in the field of professional journalism instruction. The journalism department grew from a small beginning to become one of 32 Class A departments in the nation. Through personal loans, was instrumental in aiding the students in the acquisition of a student-owned and operated newspaper plant. Started career on the Lexington Press; later became city editor of the Lexington Herald, news editor of the Lexington Leader, and editor of the Lexington Evening Gazette. Estimated that he wrote 60,000 editorials and editorial comments during his career. A pioneer in his field and a national leader in the area of journalism education at the college level. Died December 12, 1937.
L. J. Hortin
Founder of the journalism education program at Murray State College in 1928, served as chairman of the department for 19 years. Director and professor of the School of Journalism at Ohio University, 1947-1967, building one of the five largest journalism programs in the United States. Returned to Murray State University in 1967, served as director of journalism until his retirement in 1974. At Murray, established a major’s program and a master’s program in journalism. Formerly worked for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Associated Press, United Press and the Murray Ledger & Times. A civic and community leader, was a strong advocate of TVA. Received the distinguished service to journalism award from the Ohio Newspaper Association in 1967 and the distinguished alumnus award from Murray State in 1976. Holds two honorary literary degrees.
George Joplin, Jr.
Editor and publisher, the Somerset Commonwealth, 1925-1957. Started newspaper career while a student at Centre College. Served as editor, Danville Daily Messenger; sports editor, the Lexington Leader. His Somerset paper received more than 75 awards for journalistic excellence. Past president, Kentucky Press Association. Was state and national correspondent for Centre College athletic teams; named them the “Praying Colonels.” Served on Centre’s board of trustees. Active in state and editor of In Kentucky magazine in 1946. President of Somerset Chamber of Commerce; active in numerous civic projects. Avid conservationist and promoter of state parks and tourist industry in Kentucky. Brought his paper to a position of influence and distinction. Died April 2, 1957.
Nevyle Shakelford
Nevyle Shackelford was connected with writing for most of his life. He sold his first story at the age of 16 for $6. He was the former editor of The Beattyville Enterprise and worked for the Cincinnati Post and The London Sentinel-Echo. He was the author of the book Romance of Lee County and wrote for several magazines. He was best known for his work on folklore and legends on plants. He wrote weekly columns “Short Rows” and “Outdoor Lore” for many years for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and was named Agriculture Man of the Year by the Kentucky Farm Journal in 1980. He also taught school for 12 years in Eastern Kentucky. He died on March 11, 1999.
Albert P. Smith, Jr.
President of Al Smith Communications, Inc., which operated weekly newspapers in Russellville, Leitchfield, Morgantown and Cadiz, Ky., and in Brentwood, Tenn. Named co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington in 1979. Producer and moderator of the weekly Kentucky Educational Television program, "Comment on Kentucky," 1974-1979. Named Distinguished Broadcast Journalist by Western Kentucky University in 1978. Wrote and produced numerous award-winning documentaries for KET. Recognized for newspaper editorial writing. Started journalism career in New Orleans, served as state editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Avid conservationist and historian. Former chairman, Kentucky Arts Commission and Kentucky Oral History Commission; past president, Kentucky Press Association. Won American Legion national oratorical at age 15. Civic and community leader.
Enos Swain
Former editor and general manager of the Danville Advocate-Messenger. Began his newspaper career with the Danville Daily Messenger while a student at Centre College. Later worked for the Harrodsburg Herald and the Harrodsburg Democrat, and served as associate editor of the Somerset Commonwealth. Was alumni secretary and director of publicity at Centre College; was later named to the board of trustees and president of the alumni association. Noted historian, author and raconteur. Long active in Republican Party; was member and chairman of State Personnel Board during administration of Gov. Louie Nunn. Former president, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Press Association, and Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce. Strong advocate for press rights.
Edwards M. Templin
Promotion director of the Lexington Herald-Leader Co., 1944-1967. Started work as reporter on the Lexington Herald in 1929; later became city editor: also worked for the Lexington Leader. President of the National Newspaper Promotion Association in 1957; later became president of NNPA's Southern Region; received association's highest award in 1962. American Newspaper Publishers Association gave him distinguished service award in 1957. Named most valuable member of the Kentucky Press Association in 1963; was president-elect of KPA at time of death. Served as Kentucky chairman of Sigma Delta Chi; active in numerous civic and charitable organizations; cited by American Red Cross for aid to flood victims in 1957. Prominent in various Republican political campaigns. President of the Lexington-Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. Died January 3, 1967.
Helen Thomas
White House bureau chief for United Press International; has reported the activities of Presidents and First Ladies since 1960. First woman to head up the Presidential coverage of a major news service; senior staff member of UPI at White House. Traveled extensively with Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon; accompanied the latter on summit trips to China and Soviet Union. Went with Secretary of State Kissinger to the Middle East and China and with President Ford to China. Elected president of the White House Correspondents Association in 1975, first woman to hold that office. Also first woman elected to the historic Gridiron Club in its 96-year history. Received the Distinguished Achievement Award for newspaper journalism presented by journalism alumni of University of Southern California. Author of Dateline: White House, a book published in 1975 about life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Native of Winchester. Started her journalism career as a reporter for the Washington Daily News; joined UPI a year later as a radio writer; transferred to national staff in 1956.
Henry Watterson
Editor of the Courier-Journal, 1868-1919. Established the Courier-Journal both in fact and reputation; made the paper a respected voice throughout the nation but especially in the South. Colorful but powerful, Watterson was a master editorial writer--the last of the great personal journalists. At age 78, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1918 for two editorials supporting American entry into World War I. Coined the phrase during World War I, "To Hell with the Hapsburgs and the Hophenzollerns." Once criticized for attacking his beloved Democratic Party, Watterson replied editorially, "Things have come to a hell of a pass when a man can't wallop his own jackass." The fiery, colorful, charming, infuriating editor knew every president and president-to-be from John Quincy Adams to Franklin D. Roosevelt and took an active part in 11 presidential campaigns. Died December 22, 1921.
UK >> CCIS >> JAT >> COMMUNITY PROGRAMS >> HALL OF FAME   SITEMAP NEWS

© Copyright 2006 University of Kentucky - An Equal Opportunity University
Updated Last: September 25, 2006
Contact Webmaster at nss@uky.edu

Designed by the JAT Design Team.

* Photo in the logo at the top of this page provided by Shaun Cox.