Meyer inducted into Hall of Fame
Hoch Publishing Co., Inc., president Bill Meyer was inducted Friday into the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame at a recognition banquet at the Overland Park Marriott.
The award, which until recently had been reserved for journalists who had been deceased for five years, has been expanded to induct a contemporary journalist.
Meyer was inducted along with the late Robert Wellington, longtime publisher of the Ottawa Herald. His widow, Dottie, and family were present to receive the award.
Meyer's award had been kept secret until it was presented by his son Eric Meyer as a banquet highlight. He received a standing ovation by the large audience.
Also present were Joan Meyer and Donna Bernhardt.
The award is based on Meyer's 58 years in journalism, 56 of them spent in Marion.
He came to work for the late Wharton Hoch in 1948, after graduating from KU, and took over as publisher when Hoch died in 1967.
Meyer served as KPA president in 1982, was legislative chairman for more than 10 years, was a member of the board of directors, and has been active in KPA for decades.
At the present time he serves on the board of the Kansas Newspaper Foundation, the Kansas State Historical Society, Central National Bank, and the 99th Infantry Division Association.
Newspaper staff members also received several awards of recognition: series story, by Marion County Record staff, honorable mention; local business coverage (Case agency), by Kathy Hageman, honorable mention; religious coverage, Msgr. Arthur Tonne tribute by Bill Meyer, third; special section, "End Zone," by Marion County Record staff, second; design and layout, third, Donna Bernhardt; front page, third, Donna Bernhardt.
