WKU News & Events

March 08, 2002

WKU'S Albers To Be Inducted
Into Journalism Hall Of Fame

Bowling Green, Ky. -Jo-Ann Huff Albers, director of Western Kentucky University's School of Journalism and Broadcasting, will be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame next month.

"As a journalist, if I could pick one thing I'd like to be in, this would be it," said Albers, who came to Western in 1987 after more than 25 years in newspapers.

Albers joins former journalism department head David Whitaker and former faculty member Jim Ausenbaugh in the group of distinguished journalists. "It's truly an honor to join Ausenbaugh and Whitaker in the Journalism Hall of Fame," she said.

This year's class, which will be inducted April 2 in Lexington, includes John S. Carroll, former editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader; John Hager, former co-publisher and co-editor of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer; Virginia Graves Fox, executive director of Kentucky Educational Television; Dihn Phuc Le, chief videographer for WLKY-TV; and Brian Rublein, news director at WHAS-AM.

"I'm particularly pleased to be inducted with John Hager and John Carroll who I've known and admired for a long time," Albers said.

Before coming to Western, Albers had extensive experience as a working journalist and as an advocate for the advancement of female journalists. "I've never been shy about advocating that women ought to be given equal opportunities," she said.

The 64-year-old native of Pulaski County received her bachelor's degree from Miami (Ohio) University and her master's degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

During a 20-year career at The Cincinnati Enquirer, she held several positions before being named executive editor of the paper's Kentucky edition in 1979. She was the first woman to direct the paper's news operation.

She also was editor and publisher of the Sturgis (Mich.) Journal and the Public Opinion in Chambersburg, Pa., and was a general news executive for Gannett Co.

After coming to Western, Albers oversaw a journalism program that continued its growth in enrollment and national stature. "I've always viewed my job as a manager as one of being responsible for making it as easy as possible for others to do their work and giving them the tools to do that work," she said.

Whether managing a newsroom or a university department, Albers believes in setting high goals and working to achieve them.

Two goals for the program will be met during her tenure: Western won the overall title in the Hearst Intercollegiate Journalism Competition for two consecutive years; the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, formed by a merger of the two departments in 1999, will move into Media and Technology Hall in 2003.

Albers received the 2000 Freedom Forum Journalism Administrator of the Year, recognizing outstanding administrative leadership in the advancement of journalism education. She's been involved with the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication for more than 20 years.

Albers called her induction into the Journalism Hall of Fame a lifetime achievement award for her career in journalism and education. It's a career that's winding down. Albers plans to enter optional retirement in 2003.

"I've been working since I was about 16," she said. "I'm ready for my job as a grandmother."

For more information, contact Jo-Ann Albers at (270) 745-4143. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.