Leon Bibb to Serve as Master of Ceremonies at Journalism Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony — Press Club of Cleveland Hosts Induction of Seven New Members

Business Wire, Oct 26, 2001

Business Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2001

WEWS TV 5 news personality, Leon Bibb, will serve as Master of Ceremonies of the Press Club of Cleveland's 2001 Journalism Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, November 15th.

A distinguished television reporter and commentator, Bibb was inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Press Club will induct WJW FOX 8 meteorologist, Dick Goddard, and veteran newspapermen Norm Mlachak and Bill Tanner, both of The Press. The Press Club will also induct four "pioneer" members: Charles "Wes" Lawrence, Andrew Logan, George Anthony Moore, and Marjorie Wilson.

Established in 1981, the Hall of Fame honors Cleveland's giants of journalism, who have established, professional reputations and who uphold the highest standards of the profession. The dinner and program will take place at Sammy's Metropolitan Ballroom, at the Huntington Bank Building at East 9th and Euclid Avenue beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m., dinner will be at 7:00 p.m.

For tickets or more information, contact the Press Club at (440) 899-1222.

2001 Press Club of Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame Inductees

Dick Goddard

A popular on-air meteorologist, Dick Goddard began forecasting weather for KYW-TV 3 (now WKYC) in 1961. He continues to forecast the weather every Monday through Friday for FOX 8 (WJW) News. He has served as TV 8's chief meteorologist since 1966. National surveys have twice named Goddard the most popular local weatherperson in America. Ohio Magazine named him Best Meteorologist in 2001. Goddard is the author of Dick Goddard's Weather Guide and Almanac for Northeast Ohio, which was on The Plain Dealer bestseller list for 11 weeks, including seven in the number 1 spot. As creator of the Woollybear Festival, first held in 1972, Goddard continues to host this annual family event that provides fundraising opportunities for local organizations and charities. As an animal rights supporter, Goddard spends much of his time campaigning, raising funds and finding homes for Cleveland's stray and abandoned dogs and cats.

Norm Mlachak

As a star reporter for The Press from 1956 until its closing in 1982, Norm Mlachak was admired for his professionalism and versatility. In his 26 years with The Press, he covered many top stories, including the Atlanta child killings, the Hough riots in Cleveland, and he interviewed many prominent people, from Lee Iacocca and Walter Reuther to Howard Cosell and the Prince of Wales. Before joining The Press, Mlachak taught journalism for two years at Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., and worked for a year at the Willoughby (now Lake County) News-Herald. After The Press folded, he freelanced and worked as assistant press secretary to Mayor George V. Voinovich. Shortly before learning he had cancer, Mlachak was hired as an assistant editor by Industry Week.

Bill Tanner

In a newspaper career spanning 44 years, Bill Tanner did it all -- from office boy to editor. Fortunately for area readers -- not to mention the countless local reporters who were guided and inspired by him -- most of his career was spent in Cleveland. Fresh out of high school, Tanner joined The Press in 1943. Except for time out for military service, he stayed at The Press until 1980. As a reporter, he covered financial news, the police beat and City Hall. He served on the rewrite desk -- a job he still claims is the best in the newsroom -- and did stints as assistant city editor, executive news editor, and finally, managing editor. He was a leading force in the newspaper's heyday. His success as a newsroom leader prompted the Scripps-Howard Group, which owned The Press at the time -- to snatch him from Cleveland and name him editor of The Albuquerque Tribune. For seven years there, he put into practice the same editorial principles that defined The Press as "the people's newspaper," guiding and inspiring yet another generation of journalists.

2001 Journalism Hall of Fame Pioneer Inductees

Charles W. (Wes) Lawrence

Wes Lawrence joined the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram in 1927 after graduating from Oberlin College. Two years later, he became a general assignment reporter for The Plain Dealer. For 22 years, his "Breakfast Commentator" column dealt with current events and appeared six days a week below the cartoon on the PD editorial page. A 1963 column in defense of civil rights demonstrators at the Cleveland Board of Education won several awards, including one from the Press Club.

Andrew Logan

Andrew Logan founded Cleveland's first newspaper, the Cleveland Gazette & Commercial Register, in 1818. He served as both editor and publisher. In getting the paper established, he brought a printing press and type with him from Beaver, Pa. The publication was short-lived, folding the following year after the debut of the Cleveland Herald.

George Anthony Moore

After earning a master's degree in playwriting from the University of Iowa, George Anthony Moore worked as a reporter for the Cleveland Press for five years. In 1947, he joined WEWS-TV5, where he spent 11 years as a news director and producer. Active in many community and service groups, he twice served as chairman of the Press Club's annual "Page One" Ball in the 1960s. He also served as president of the Catholic Interracial Council of Greater Cleveland and was named to the Cleveland Community Relations Board in 1964 by Mayor Ralph Locher. He later formed his own PR firm specializing in urban affairs and community relations.