Nine inducted into state Journalism Hall of Fame


Friday the 13th of May, 2011 was a lucky day for nine veteran Oklahoma journalists.  But it was not luck that got the nine inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.  Hard work, strong journalistic ethics and lifetimes of achievements earned them the honor.

This year’s induction ceremonies were held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, in the Nigh University Center, the home of the Hall of Fame under the direction of Dr. Terry Clark.  Oklahoma Press Association Executive Director Mark Thomas served as Master of Ceremonies.

The 2011 inductees are:  Gloria Brown, Managing Editor of the Perry Daily Journal; Jeff Dixon, Lawton Constitution photographer; Arnold Hamilton, Editor of The Oklahoma Observer; Joan Henderson, Publisher of Oklahoma Today magazine; Michael Jones, Associate Editor of the Tulsa World; David Page, Special Projects Editor of The Journal Record; Keith Swezey, retired University of Central Oklahoma Mass Communications Professor.  Inducted posthumously were Jim Standard of The Oklahoman and Larry R. Wade, publisher of the Elk City Daily News.

Dr. Clark said, “This annual ceremony has become an informal homecoming for honorees and their families.  The Hall of Fame is a virtual ‘who’s who’ of Oklahoma journalism.” 
 
The family of the late Brian Jay Walke, a veteran journalist who died this past year, was also introduced at the event, having recently established an endowed scholarship in journalism ethics to be awarded to an outstanding journalism student at next year’s luncheon.  Dr. Clark called Walke a “friend of ethics and journalism.”

Members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee will select the scholarship recipient.   

“We deeply appreciate this investment in the Hall of Fame and our students in Brian’s honor,” said Clark.

Founded in 1971 by the late Ray Tassin, Ph.D., former University of Central Oklahoma Journalism Chairperson, the Hall of Fame is supported by funding from UCO, the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation and The Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation.  This year’s inductees bring the total number of members to 370.