A party for my journalistic friends--I

This week marks the 43rd year of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and it's my pleasure and joy to be "working" to coordinate the event. We will have the largest crowd ever Thursday, with almost 300 people present to honor nine new inductees and reunite the previous ones. We have more than 40 of the members registered to attend our luncheon and ceremony here at UCO.
It was my pleasure three years ago to preside over the 40th anniversary celebration, including the dedication of the new display hall in the university center. Attending was the founder of the hall of fame, Dr. Ray Tassin, my predecessor as chair and actually my undergraduate journalism teacher. Ray has since died, but it was so great to have him seem how far his idea has come, attracting statewide attention from small beginnings. 

And I get to work again with friend and long time assistant Sherry Sump, who comes in during the spring semester to keep this thing really organized and get the bills paid. She and I were just scanning the display area this morning, talking about the ones we've inducted, many of whom I know and have known, the ones who have died. What a crowd of characters and people who've had an impact on Oklahomans.
One of my friends and professor colleagues once said to me--"Clark, you've got a great job. you teach and once a year throw a party for your friends."