A copy editor extraordinaire, a key to success for any newsroom striving for excellence.  A community journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize after exposing a multi-million dollar scam in West Texas. The former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day, reaching 22 million each month. Author of 75 books and creator of Hank the Cowdog series of books, audio-books and stage plays.

Plus, the author who wrote a best-selling book about the Texas woman who drowned her 5 children in the bathtub. An award winning photojournalist, documentary filmmaker and educator. Former Texan editor with an outstanding career at UPI and Chicago Sun-Times, then later in corporate communications. A distinguished journalist at Texas and national newspapers, who capped his career with 24 years as professor of journalism at UT.

The event, sponsored by Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc., recognizes Texan alumni who have had distinguished careers and individuals who have been steadfast supporters of The Daily Texan.

The gathering will Friday, April 17, 2026 in the Walter Cronkite Plaza and adjacent auditorium, 2504 Whitis Ave. on the UT campus.

Watch this web site in coming days for complete bios and photographs of each honoree.

Below is a brief line of info on each of the honorees.

Watch this web site in coming days for complete bios and photographs of each honoree:

• Jane Chesnutt served as Editor-in-Chief/Vice President of Woman’s Day from 1991 to 2009. During her tenure, WD was always among the top three best-selling magazines in the country, at its peak reaching an estimated 22 million women.
• John R. Erickson has written and published 75 books and more than 600 articles, and is best known as the author of the Hank the Cowdog series of books, audio-books and stage plays.
• Martin L. “Red” Gibson is a member of the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame, the first journalism educator to receive this recognition. He worked at the Austin American-Statesman, the New York Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, the Houston Chronicle and the Galveston Daily News. Then he was a professor of journalism for 24 years at UT.
• Oscar Griffin Jr. broke open a massive scandal in West Texas, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1963 as editor at the Independent and Enterprise. He led the paper’s investigation of the fraud scandal involving Billie Sol Estates  in 1962.
• Suzanne O’Malley covered the high-stakes Andrea Yates trial for Oprah Magazine and NBC’s Dateline, and later wrote a best-selling book on the murders of Yates’ 5 children. She also was a writer for “Law and Order.”
• Ed Sargent is a copy editor extraordinaire at numerous top newspapers in the Southwest, and one of the unheralded journalists behind the scenes — hardworking editors, deskmen and newsroom managers — who are the ones responsible for getting the news before the reader’s eyes and ensuring that it is fair, accurate, appropriately played, well-written and topped with an engaging headline.
• Jan Sonnenmair is an award winning photojournalist, documentary filmmaker and educator. Jan has been the recipient of several awards including the World Press Foundations’ award for Photo Essay for a 4 year project on a child with AIDS.
• Andy Yemma held many reporting-editing-and managing positions for 12 years at United Press International wire service, and was Business Editor of the Chicago Sun-Times. After his journalism career, he worked in corporate communications with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. He finished his corporate career as a partner in a financial public relations firm in New York.

Registration is now open at:

https://friendsdailytexan.wildapricot.org/event-6522425

In addition to Hall of Fame honorees, scholarship grants from the Friends group and donors will be presented to 16 Daily Texan staffers, and current Daily Texan editors will update us on what’s happening in the newsroom.

The event begins with a reception/meal from 5-6:45 p.m., when you can catch up with your friends and colleagues, and meet other Daily Texan alums.  Presentations of Hall of Fame and scholarship winners will start at 7:15 p.m. in the adjacent auditorium.