Alumni share success stories

The IU School of Journalism played host to three alumni Thursday night as part of its Roy W. Howard Lecture on Media Leadership.


Gerould Kern of the Chicago Tribune, BA ’71

On the current state of the industry:
“There are going to be more challenges to come. We’re in the midst of a historic transformation ... it will never end. We have got the privilege of continuing to make these changes to keep this great thing alive.”
On the future of print:
Kern stressed that newspapers need to be more than just a physical paper and should focus on being really great at a few things that are worth paying more for. Newspapers should also “be the organization that draws the community together,” Kern said.


Paul Tash of the St. Petersburg Times, BA ’76 

Tash took a more optimistic view on the longevity of newspapers:
“Its demise has been greatly exaggerated. I think that we would make a mistake to run away from it. That’s who we are.”
On paying more for content:
“I think the most powerful four letter word — starting with F — is free, and that expectation is very deeply ingrained.”  
On the future of journalism:
Tash wants to give those “who seem impossibly young ... the same kind of chances when I seemed impossibly young to someone else.”


Carrie Ritchie of The Indianapolis Star, BAJ ’08

Ritchie moderated the event.