Journalism Hall of Fame inducts five new members; Detroit Free Press web editor young journalist of the year

Five alumni joined the ranks of Central Michigan University’s elite journalists Friday night.

Cathaleen Curtiss, Richard “Dirk” Milliman, Keith Naughton, John Palen and Fred Mester were added to the CMU Journalism Hall of Fame.

Mark W. Smith, a Detroit Free Press blogger, columnist and Web editor, was awarded the Young Journalist of the Year.

Smith gave advice for those nervous about the current market for journalists.

“The best will rise to the top and work hard while you’re here,” he said.

About 180 attended the event at the Comfort Inn Hotel and Conference Center, 2424 S. Mission St.

For Curtiss, a visual media professional in New York City, the experience was a great one.

“It’s not what you use or what’s in the shot, it’s what’s in the story,” was the photograpy advice she gave students.

Curtiss has worked at The Washington Times and America Online. She was introduced by Roger Hart, the executive editor of AutoWeek.

Hart spoke highly of Curtiss, reflecting on their time at Central Michigan Life together.

“Surround yourself with talented people and everyone’s job gets much easier, especially with someone who has such a strong personality like Cathaleen,” Hart said.

Milliman, president of Milliman Communications, also took the chance to share some words of wisdom.

“Forget Craig and his lists, newspapers need your help,” he said.

Keith Naughton, the deputy Detroit Bureau chief of the Bloomberg News, said he learned a lot from his experiences at CM Life.

“What I have been through has been an amazing journey,” he said.

He gave credit to his “career coach” dad and “career cheerleader” mom.

Former CMU Professor Palen said he was honored to get the award.

Maria Marron, the department of journalism chairwoman, said Palen was known for caring for his students.

“He taught thousands of kids and he always learned his students’ names and he would get their work back in a timely way, giving them time to revise,” she said.

Mester, a retired circuit court judge of the Sixth Judicial District, was given honorary recognition in the hall of fame. He helped establish the Lem Tucker Scholarship at CMU, a scholarship designed to promote success and participation for minority students involved with journalism.

“CMU helped me better understand many things,” he said. “It helped me learn about the conversations of mine, and others dreams, and the love for my country.”