2004 Hall of Fame Inductees

• Russell L. Herron (1935-1999), advisor to CM LIFE, journalism instructor, member/leader of CMU's Information Services, CMU Administrator,and Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

• Sandra Petykiewicz, 1975 alumna, publisher of The Jackson Citizen Patriot. Reporter/editor at newspapers in other Michigan communitites as well as in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Former chair of CMU's Board in Control of Student Media.

• Neal R. Miller, first graduate of the Journalism Department, former CM LIFE editor, owenr, and publisher of the Iosco CountyNews-Herald and Oscoda Press.

• Guido Stempel III, a CMU Journalism Department founding faculty member and former CM LIFE advisor. Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Ohio University, conducting much scholarly research and serving as editor of teh Journalism Quarterly for 17 years. 

• Suzanne "Sue" Nichols, CMU Journalism grad and faculty member. Served as the department's computer guru and established the nation's first desktop publishing program for classes. Co-author of "Precision Journalism."

• Jim Wieghart, former faculty member and chair of the Journalism Department. A Vietnam War correspondent, Wiegart has worked at several major dailies, including serving as editor of the New York Daily News.

Russell L. Herron

Russell L. Herron served CMU for 39 years as writer and director for Information Services, adviser to Central Michigan Life, instructor for the journalism department and university administrator.

"It did not take long to realize Russ Herron was one of the most talented journalists in the profession and that he truly cared about the success and well-being of his colleagues," wrote Robert Rulong, former CMU administrator and currently Central Michigan Community Hospital' vice president of marketing and communications.

As CMU's vice president for university relations, Herron oversaw public relations and marketing, public broadcasting and athletics, including the expansion of Kelly/Shorts Stadium and construction of the Indoor Athletics Complex, where the Hall of Achievement is named in his honor.

"When my daughter enrolled in Central, I made certain she understood that even though she was not a journalism major, if she had any concerns, problems, or questions she could always count on Russ Herron for advice," wrote John Carroll, former student and 1970 graduate.

"His influence on budding journalists was incalculable. His gentle yet reaffirming nature was infectious," wrote Neil Hopp, CMU's director of student media and 1967 graduate. "We could always count on his unwavering support of the student newspaper and its independent voice at a time when university administrators were attempting to limit press freedom." Herron, who died after a short illness in 1999, also served as secretary to CMU's Board of Trustees.

"While I lost a friend, journalism at Central Michigan University lost a pillar of strength in the development of press freedom," wrote Mitch Kehetian, a former CMU trustee and editorial page editor for the Macomb Daily. "Pioneers like Russ Herron have helped make this a better world."

Upon his passing, a CM Life editorial noted: "As a former CM Life adviser, he never forgot his journalistic calling and returned phone calls in the true gentleman's fashion. He always gave an honest answer and walked rookie reporters through the steps, regardless of the limited time he had to talk."

Neal R. Miller

Neal R. Miller was the first graduate of CMU's School of Journalism in 1960.

He came to CMU in 1956 with plans to transfer to the University of Missouri School of Journalism after two years. In the summer of 1958, however, CMU's School of Journalism began and Miller was asked to stay.

Miller joined the staff of Central Michigan Life and served two and a half years longer than anyone before him. He also wrote for the Campus Tempo, a creative writing magazine, and Chippewa, the university's yearbook.

After graduation, he worked briefly for the Lansing State Journal. When he was hired at the Edwardsburg Argus he became the youngest newspaper editor in the state.

After a stint in the U.S. Army, Miller joined the Iosco County News and Oscoda Press, eventually becoming editor and later owner of the Iosco County News. In his 35-year career in East Tawas, Miller helped build the company by acquiring nearby weeklies and boosting circulation to around 14,000. The combined newspapers also adopted a new name, the Iosco County News Herald, which it is called today.

"His concerns for accuracy, honesty, impartiality and fairness were legend, and his newspaper and community ethic was--and remain--unimpeachable. His insistence that his reporting staff present its coverage from all viewpoints won him both praise and criticism throughout Iosco County, wrote Gladys Richardson, retired newspaper reporter and Miller's mother.

Miller's "hard-hitting but sensitive reporting" won the Liberty Bell Award from the Iosco and Oscoda County Bar Association for his pursuit of "individual liberty and justice." He was an active member of the Michigan Press Association and served in various leadership capacities.

"He was and still is recognized by his colleagues in the Michigan press as one of the best and one who championed community journalism," wrote Gilbert Maienknecht, former CMU faculty member and Miller's mentor.

Suzanne Nichols

Suzanne Nichols "was thinking outside the box before that phrase ever entered the language," wrote a former student. "I decided to attend CMU because of Suzanne Nichols."

Nichols was a member of the CMU faculty from 1969 through 1992. "She made every student who came through her classroom, office or home feel like they were the most important person at that moment and it made all the difference in the world to each and every one of us," wrote Connie McCann, former student and Central Michigan Community Hospital fund development officer.

Nichols equipped her classroom with telephones to give students realistic deadline experiences. She launched a desktop publishing program at CMU, the first to be established at a four-year university in the United States. During the mid-1980s, she co-wrote the book "Precision Journalism, A Practical Guide."

She was a devotee of "The AP Stylebook," and she made sure, with various testing methods, that her students also shared her devotion. Her editing skills and her desire for quality writing led her to develop and teach a beginning class in journalism style and grammar.

She remains active in retirement. She designed and maintains three Web sites, prepares copy and designs brochures, directories, handbooks and newsletters.

"Her real strength was her ability to motivate students," wrote Jim Wojcik, CMU journalism faculty member. "She is responsible for the careers of many successful editors and reporters because of her ability to engage them in reporting, writing and editing. She taught pride in the profession. She demanded and received excellence."

Sandra Petykiewicz

Sandy Petykiewicz "embodies the ethics, leadership and alumni commitment that makes CMU's journalism program so strong," wrote Sherry Knight, president of Knight Writers, a public relations firm.

"Sandy's strengths as an editor and publisher are cemented in her commitment to coworkers and the greater community. She has been a mentor to employees, especially at times to women, helping them grapple with career and personal decisions," continued Knight.

Petykiewicz worked as a news editor for Central Michigan Life. During her senior year the newspaper receive a 1975 Pacemaker Award for the best college newspaper in the nation.

"Even then, I was impressed with Sandy's organizational skills and no-nonsense approach to journalism. In fact, that year might have been my best in college in terms of excitement with the news business, job satisfaction and teamwork," wrote Steve Morse, metro editor for the Jackson Citizen Patriot and CMU graduate.

Petykiewicz began her professional career working at the Big Rapids Pioneer, the Midland Daily News and the Saginaw News. She was promoted to copy editor of the Washington Post and assistant city editor of the Baltimore News American before returning to Michigan and joining the Jackson Citizen Patriot as metro editor.

In 1987, Petykiewicz became the newspaper's first female editor. In 1999, she was named publisher of the Citizen Patriot, leading not only the newsroom but all of the paper's business and editorial operations. During her tenure in Jackson, the Citizen Patriot was twice named top newspaper in its circulation class by the University Press Club of Michigan and was named Michigan's best by the Michigan Press Association. In 1984, the Jackson Business and Professional Women's Organization named her Young Career Woman of the Year. In 1998, she was the recipient of the Athena Award, a prestigious award honoring women who have greatly impacted their communities.

"During Sandy's tenure she has guided the newspaper through tough financial times while maintaining sufficient resources to meet our customers' expectations," wrote Eileen Lehnert, editor of the Jackson Citizen Patriot. "Under her tutelage, the newspaper is recognized as a leader in community decision-making."

Guido Stempel III

Guido Stempel III "is among the most--perhaps even the most--knowledgeable and respected mass communication researcher in the country," wrote Ralph Izard, associate dean for graduate studies and research at Louisiana State University.

"It is my opinion that no one has a more distinguished national or personal reputation for excellence and for overall contributions during his career," he wrote. "His work is cited, and he is known even among those young graduate students when they refer to the most revered scholars in our discipline."

Stempel advised Central Michigan Life from 1957 to 1961 and helped found the Department of Journalism at CMU. He left in the early 1960s to become a member of the Ohio University faculty. Since then, he has written more than 150 research articles and frequently contributed to newspaper op-ed pages. He served for 17 years as editor of "Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly."

"Dr. Stempel's long and distinguished service to journalism and journalism education is well-known," wrote Dennis Jeffers, a CMU journalism faculty member. "In fact, his service to both of these segments of the profession continues today: his advice and counsel is still sought by journalism educators throughout the country, and he regularly produces major pieces for the Scripps Howard News Service."

According to colleagues, Stempel maintains fond memories of his time at CMU. He visits the university to work with faculty and graduate students. He also has actively recruited and supported new faculty for the journalism department.

"It is most fitting that he is honored by a department--and an institution--that he has held dear for so many years," wrote Maria Marron, professor and chair of CMU's Department of Journalism.

Jim Wieghart

James Wieghart "stood up for principle on all occasions and had a commitment to the principles of justice and fair play in all he touched while on the campus of CMU," wrote Delbert Ringquist, professor in CMU's political science department.

"I've never worked with an individual with as much personal integrity, character, sense of justice as well as a commitment of service to students and colleagues as Jim Wieghart," Ringquist continued. "His career is one of distinction and one that should be held up as a role model for those following in his footsteps in this honorable profession."

Though he began college at CMU and held a reporting position with Central Michigan Life, Wieghart graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism in 1958. He worked for the Milwaukee Journal and the Milwaukee Sentinel before moving east to join the Washington D.C. bureau of the New York Daily News, where he served as a Vietnam War correspondent and went abroad with Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter. In 1989, he became a CMU faculty member and chair of the journalism department.

"A terrific reporter and gifted writer, he's been a national political correspondent and analyst, a Washington columnist, a journalism professor, and the editor of one of the largest circulation newspapers in America," wrote Robert Keane, managing editor of Newsday and former New York Daily News reporter. "This is a dazzling resume, but it's only a part of what makes him special."

"Once Jim had developed a source, it appeared that he never severed the contact," wrote Robert Wills, retired editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel and publisher of the Milwaukee Journal. "Before long his stable of sources ranged from prostitutes to federal judges, mafia dons to street pickpockets, mayors to U.S. senators and ultimately presidents and members of their cabinets.

"Tall, with amused but penetrating eyes, an easy laugh and more than his share of energy, Jim remains today as casual, enthusiastic and upbeat as the first week that he began sniffing out corruption for the Milwaukee Sentinel," he concluded.