The names of four successful journalists have come a long way from the published page.
Their names will be added to a list of 98 others who have been inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame since its inception in 1985.
Former Detroit Free Press journalists Barbara Stanton and the late Bob Talbert will be inducted April 21, along with Ben Burns, formerly of The Detroit News and the late Charles Cain III of The Associated Press.
Stephen Lacy, chairman of the Hall of Fame committee and director of MSU’s School of Journalism, said the committee had little difficulty selecting this year’s inductees.
“Most nominees aren’t inducted the first time they’re nominated, but in this case, all four of these were in their first year,” he said. “They had tremendous support from all over the country.”
Inductees are selected based on their contributions to journalism in Michigan. The hall of fame is headquartered at MSU.
Stanton, who is known for her editorial writing at the Detroit Free Press, said she is surprised to receive honors for a career she has loved so much.
“There’s not a day in my career that I didn’t learn something and, to me, that’s one of the best parts about journalism,” said Stanton, who recently retired after 41 years at the Free Press. “It’s just a wonderful job, and this is sort of the frosting on the cake.”
Ron Dzwonkowski, editorial page editor at the Detroit Free Press, where he’s worked with Stanton, said both she and Cain deserve credit for their work, which has often gone unrecognized.
“They are part of the business that does very important work a lot of people depended on, but a lot of people do anonymously,” he said.
Stanton wrote editorials, while Cain wrote for The Associated Press.
“Charlie was somebody who, for many years, contributed to what people knew about Michigan through The AP,” he said. “And what the people of Michigan thought about issues was influenced by Barbara.”
Dzwonkowski was a supervisor at The Associated Press Detroit Bureau, where Cain worked for 34 years.
“He was your classic wire service reporter and writer,” Dzwonkowski said.
Burns said he credits his support from colleagues for much of his success.
“I’ve always been successful because I surrounded myself with people who were more talented than I was,” Burns said. “And now I’ll be surrounded by lots of more talented people.”
Burns is now director of the journalism program at Wayne State University, after 30 years reporting for several newspapers, including The Detroit News.
“I think that his professional experience speaks volumes of what he has done and what’s he’s capable of still doing,” said Sandra Combs Birdiett, director of the Journalism Institute for Minorities at Wayne State University. “I think that the journalism program at Wayne State wouldn’t be what it is today without Burns.”
Talbert also deserves honor for his contributions to journalism education, said Cheryl Pell, executive director of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. He spoke to students at the association’s conferences for years.
“He really believed in helping kids learn more about journalism,” she said.
And Pell said she’s not surprised the former columnist will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“He was really good about writing for the people,” she said.
