Central Michigan University’s Journalism Hall of Fame wall in Moore Hall gained a few faces Saturday.

The sixth-annual induction ceremony in Bovee University Center’s Rotunda honored five people who have helped CMU’s journalism program.

Inductee Lorrie Lynch, a 1975 graduate and Central Michigan Life alumna, said she chose to attend CMU in large part because of its journalism program.

“I found a home in Anspach Hall, in the dungeon,” she said. “I found professors that I respected and admired. On the other side of it I found really crazy fun colleagues to put out a newspaper with.”

Unlike Lynch, inductee John Grogan, 1979 graduate and CM Life alumnus, did not choose CMU.

“The truth is CMU picked me and was the only university to pick me,” he said. “I was a slacker high school student with mediocre grades and not a very impressive application package but somebody at the Admissions Office saw some kind of spark there and decided to take a chance on this kid, and right from the start it was a good match. I instantly felt at home here.”

Fortunately for Grogan, his education in journalism coupled with courses in creative writing helped him write the top non-fiction hardcover book of 2006: “Marley & Me.”

Storytelling can come in different forms, said inductee Steve Jessmore, a 1981 graduate and CM Life alumnus.

“I never considered myself to be just a photographer,” Jessmore said. “Pictures are more than pictures. They do tell stories.”

C. Marshall Matlock, a 1967 graduate and CM Life alumnus, also was inducted.

However, not all of the inductees were CMU graduates.

Paul Chaffee, editor and publisher at The Saginaw News was honored with an induction based on his support of student publications at CMU and his long-standing commitment to hire CMU graduates.

The event also honored 2000 graduate and CM Life alumnus Adam Graham with the inaugural “Young Journalist of the Year” award. Graham is the pop music critic at the Detroit News.

The occasion also served to recognize the Pacemaker Award- winning 1977-78 CM Life staff.

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