For the day-to-day newspaper readers who don’t give much thought to the people who work behind the pages, the life of Robert G. McGruder, executive editor of the Detroit Free Press, is an inspirational story of what we, as college journalists, only can hope to echo with our own careers.

McGruder, 60, died Friday after battling cancer for almost two years.

The newsroom veteran was touted as a champion of diversity by his comrades. McGruder, who broke through barriers himself, paved the way for the success of others within the field.

He became the first black reporter at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland in 1963 and the first black executive editor of the Free Press in 1996. In addition, McGruder was the first black president of the Associated Press Managing Editors in 1995, when he was managing editor of the Free Press.

But the most amazing aspect of McGruder’s personality was the cause he stood for. He was a wise person who understood the problem of diversifying America’s workforce is not a black-and-white issue.

“I represent the African Americas, Latinos, Arab Americans, Asians, Native Americans, gays and lesbians, women and all others we must see represented in our business offices, newsrooms and our newspapers if we truly want to meet the challenge of serving our communities,” McGruder said when he accepted the John S. Knight Gold Medal, the highest honor given to an employee by Knight Ridder, the parent company of the Free Press.

McGruder knew the importance of embracing and celebrating diversity and he graced others with his influence.

As members of a university community that has one of the most respected journalism programs in the nation, it is worthwhile to note the accomplishments of great citizens like McGruder.

If we all can go out into the world and have half the effect on those we encounter that McGruder had, we will live in a much better place.

And we will be much better journalists.