2005 Journalism Hall of Fame Inductees Biographies

2005 Hall of Fame Inductees
J. William Click, a member of the journalism faculty from 1960 to 1965. He helped establish the Michigan Collegiate Press Association and Kappa Tau Alpha	Thomas R. Rood, a member of the journalism faculty from 1970 to 1988. He spoke out for student press rights and helped strengthen high school journalism through his work with the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association.
Pamela S. Klein, a former CM Life news editor and writer and 1977 graduate. She wrote for the Hartford Courant and Indianapolis Star and later was vice president and chief operating officer of Hetrick Communications, a public relations firm in Indianapolis.	Alan S. Stuart, a former CMLife reporter and 1951 CMU graduate. During his career he has worked on several successful public relations campaigns for clients like Chrysler and Coca-Cola. He remains an active member in the Public Relations Society of America, of which he has been a member for 46 years.
William George Serrin, Jr., CMU student body treasurer and 1961 graduate. During his career in journalism, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Detroit riots in the summer of 1967. He also has written a number of books, including "The Company and the Union" and "Homestead." He is an associate professor and director of graduate studies at Columbia University School of Journalism

	J. William Click J. William Click served CMU as a faculty member from 1960 to 1965. While at CMU, he led the formation of the Michigan Collegiate Press Association in 1961. "TruIy, countless young people have benefited and continue to benefit from Click's involvement in journalism and journalism education -- both from his direct contact in the classroom as a teacher and advisor and from indirect contact through his consulting and administrative involvement in program development," wrote Kittrell Rushing, head of the department of communication at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Click's leadership and dedication have helped lead to significant advances in accrediting, assessment and teaching standards. He served as a nationwide representative to the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. "He was quick to seek out solutions and programs that were right for the association in the long term," wrote Jennifer McGill, ASJMC executive director. "I always respected his ability to look for what was best for the association not only today, but five years from today as well." Click is currently the chairman of the department of mass communication at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. At Winthrop, he has established a chapter of the Association for Women in Communications and led his department through accreditation by ACEJMC. Click helped establish a Kappa Tau Alpha national journalism honor society chapter in 1990 and served as the national organization's president from 2002 to 2004. He also served as the president for the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communications from 1997 to 1998. Over the years he has been honored with several awards, such as 2004 National Adviser of the Year (Kappa Tau Alpha) and 1999 Magazine Educator of the Year (Magazine Division of the AEJMC).
	Pamela S. Klein The late Pamela S. Klein graduated from CMU in 1977. While at CMU, she was a dedicated writer and news editor for CMLife "While Pam was a role model for other young women at that time, she was a role model for all of us," wrote Tony Dearing, editor of the Bay City Times and former CMLife writer and editor. During her long and distinguished career, Klein reported for papers such as the Hartford Courant and the Indianapolis Star. She also was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in the late 1980s. Klein was well-known as a first-class journalist and a generous teacher. "Pam also made time to share her acquired wisdom with young journalists," wrote Kelly J. Kolhagen-Crawford, vice president/editorial services for Hass MS&L Public Relations. "As a jittery freshman walking through the doors of Central Michigan Life in 1976, I immediately experienced her generosity of time and counsel." She eventually transferred her talents and experience over to the public relations firm, Hetrick Communications, which she founded with her husband, Bruce K. Hetrick. At the time of her death in March 2005, she served as the organization's vice president and chief operating officer. James J. Reindl, bureau chief at Associated Press and a former CMLife reporter, defined Klein as "Quiet. Efficient. A surgeon with a blue pen. Persistent in her insistence at getting it right or saying it better. Purposeful."
	Thomas R. Rood The late Thomas R. Rood served as a CMU journalism faculty member from 1970 to 1988 and was department chairman from 1984 until his retirement in 1988. He brought the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association to CMU in 1971 and served as director until 1982. Under his leadership, MIPA hosted workshops and competitions to improve students' journalism skills. "Because of those workshops, I chose to attend what I knew was the best journalism school in the state --CMU," wrote Lorie Shane, CMU temporary journalism instructor and 1979 graduate. In 1972, Rood was honored for his commitment and contributions to scholastic journalism with MIPA's John V. Field Award. In 1981, he earned the Gold Key Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, one of the highest honors in the field. Rood died in August 1996. He was known and respected among students as a dedicated, patient, caring and helpful professor. "Tom Rood's policy was simple: students come first," wrote John K. Hartman, CMU journalism professor. "Whether it was in a classroom, in his office, across campus or at a social gathering, Tom Rood put the students first."
	William George Serrin, Jr. William George Serrin Jr. graduated from CMU in 1961. While at CMU, he served as student body treasurer and was a contributor to Tempo. After graduation, Serrin began his distinguished career reporting for The Saginaw News and then the Detroit Free Press. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Detroit riots in the summer of 1967. "He was always the best on the staff at generating the sort of ideas, always ambitious and often demanding, which would lead to the stories for which the Free Press of that day was known," wrote Kurt Luedtke, former colleague at the Detroit Free Press. Serrin also wrote for the New York Times from 1979 to 1986. "Bill's commitment as a journalist to writing stories that would not otherwise be written, and in doing so, revealing aspects of the American experience that would otherwise remain ignored, is something that I have found to be inspiring," wrote Chris Janson. Over the years, he has written a number of books such as "The Company and the Union," "Homestead"and "Muckraker," which he co-authored with his wife, Judy. "It is obvious that he cares about preparing students to be journalists who will seek the truth," wrote Robert A. Janson, former CMU student.
	Alan D. Stuart Alan D. Stuart graduated from CMU in 1951. While at CMU, he worked for both CMLife and the Mount Pleasant Daily Times-News. "Over the span of his career, Stuart has devoted himself to the profession of journalism and public relations, nurtured young professionals in the industry, and made generous contributions to college students," wrote Jennifer Day, president of the Public Relations Society of America Detroit chapter. Stuart has helped lead successful public relations campaigns for companies such as Stroh's Ice Cream, Chrysler and Coca-Cola. He is currently president and owner of Stuart Communications Group, Plymouth. Stuart also has been a member of PRSA for 46 years. Over the years, he has served as vice chairman of PRSA East Central District Judicial Panel, charter member of the Detroit chapter's Senior Council (vice president in 1992 and president since 1994) and co-chairman of the mentor committee. "Alan Stuart is among the top individuals in terms of professionalism, credibility and integrity," wrote A.D. Vinikour, president of Vinikour Communications. "He has worked tirelessly on behalf of his chosen profession and along the way has passed his experience and philosophy to several generations who benefit more from his wisdom than they'd find in dozens of text books." Stuart is known for encouraging alumni to continue to give back to the university. "He taught us to reach out to new CMU grads, make campus visits to speak to students, participate in student career conferences, talk up CMU and support the university financially--all aimed at continuing to increase the value for our degree and give back to the university," wrote Karen M. (Stewart) Spica, a 1976 CMU graduate.