East Michigan News

In 2019, the CMU Journalism Hall of Fame reorganized to form a new Media Hall of Fame, following the merger of the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, the Department of Journalism, and the Department of Communication to create the new School of Communication, Journalism and Media. With support from the College of the Arts and Media, this new school launched the CMU Media Hall of Fame in November 2023. The awards now extend to alumni, former students, and faculty from all programs within the school.

“It took many years of effort from a dedicated group of alumni to organize the first event last year,” says Heather Polinsky, director of the School of Communication, Journalism and Media. “I’m pleased that most of these alumni are back and joined by a few others to do it again. We have another exciting class of inductees for 2024, and we are looking forward to hosting another successful event this November.”

The annual awards program now includes alumni from Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts, Integrated Public Relations, and Communications programs. This year’s Media Hall of Fame inductees honor those who spent their careers working in newspapers, television, public relations, and higher education.

The 2024 induction ceremony and dinner banquet will be held on Saturday evening, November 16, 2024 at 5 p.m. at the Bovee University Center on campus. Tickets go on sale today through November 8. Event sponsorships are available.

Tom Caylor spent 40 years in newspaper reporting, public relations, and fundraising for nonprofit and for-profit organizations including Delta College in Michigan where he served for 26 years before retiring in 2018. He led communications projects as well as public broadcasting operations at Delta College. He was granted the Willie E. Thompson Outstanding Service Award for his contributions.

Ed Fernandez built an award-winning career over four decades as a broadcast executive in Michigan along with Georgia and Illinois. He held positions at WXMI Fox 17 in Grand Rapids before moving to WSNS Telemundo in Chicago. Later roles included vice president positions at WXYZ (Channel 7) in Detroit and E.W. Scripps Company.

Peter “Pete” Orlik served as a mass communications instructor at Wayne State University before joining CMU faculty in 1969 where he established a self-standing broadcasting program which evolved into an independent department under his leadership.

Rich Robinson had a distinguished career as a journalist and Emmy-winning television producer after studying journalism at CMU. His work spanned collaborations with music superstars like Quincy Jones to creating celebrity segments for Comedy Central's "Turn Ben Stein On." He later moved into advocacy work focusing on voting rights.

Barbara Roethler worked across various roles including reporter, producer, digital director before becoming Communications Director for Huron Valley School District where she showcases district achievements using her extensive skillset.

Susan Rozman Delia was recognized posthumously for her leadership during her time at CMU leading her quickly up ranks at ESPN where she became Vice President before passing away due to cancer.