Wally Lage

COLUMBIA-Five men who used newspapers to pump life into their communities were honored Sept. 11 with induction into the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame.

This year's inductees were the late Ed Lee, publisher of the Savannah Reporter; the late David Steinbeck, publisher of the Canton Press-News Journal; Robert Blosser, retired president of the News Tribune in Jefferson City; Chuck Haney, former publisher of the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune; and Wally Lage, vice president and chief operating officer of Rust Communications of Cape Girardeau.

Lage, a Missouri native, has exerted broad influence on the newspaper industry through his work with Rust Communications, Winsor Newspapers and PAGE, a newspaper industry purchasing cooperative. He grew up on a farm near Jefferson City, studied for six years to become a priest, then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City. When he was drafted by the military in 1966, he entered Officer Candidate School.

The Army assigned him to Fort McClellan, Ala., where he helped found the weekly Fort McClellan News. A local publisher printed and distributed the free newspaper in exchange for news space as a ratio of advertising volume. That creative approach became a model for many military installation newspapers, and it lit a passion for newspapers in Mr. Lage.

After the military, Lage enrolled at the Missouri School of Journalism. He earned his master's degree while rising through the ranks from sports editor to publisher of the Boonville Daily News.

Rather than writing a thesis, Lage used the newspaper for a major research project, testing his theory that circulation would grow significantly if the newspaper went to an entirely local format.The Daily News dropped its wire service and began focusing on local news, which included a telephone answering machine with the latest updates on local news.

Circulation and profits shot up. Missouri Press Association and Inland Press Association recognized the Daily News as the best small town daily.

After Lage received his master's in 1971, the owner of the Boonville paper, Winsor Newspapers, moved him around among its newspapers, and he served as a publisher in Peoria, Ill., Jefferson City and Columbia. He also founded a number of weekly newspapers and shoppers.

In 1984, Lage joined Kentucky-based Paxton Media Group as vice president of newspaper operations and general manager of the daily Paducah Sun. For nine years he oversaw the acquisition of several newspapers and founded Sun Publishing, a niche publisher of beauty and pet industry newspapers throughout the U.S. During this time, Lage became active with the Supplier Evaluation Committee of Publishers Associated to Gain Economy (PAGE). He now is president of PAGE, which has annual sales of more than $300 million for more than 500 newspapers in all 50 states.

Lage joined Rust Communications in 1993. He has been involved in the acquisition or start-up of nearly 50 newspapers in eight states. He helped create a system in which nearly all Rust publishers have part ownership of their newspapers.

Wherever Lage has worked, he has been active in organizations that support the medical, educational and civic lives of the citizens. He and Doris, his wife of 40 years, have four children and six grandchildren.

Mr. Lage was nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame by the Rust family and associates of Rust Communications.

The Daily Dunklin Democrat is a member of the Rust Communications group.

The Missouri Press Association (MPA) founded the Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1991.

This year's honorees were inducted during MPA's 142th Annual Convention, which was held this year in Columbia.

Pinnacle awards were presented to the inductees or their families. Plaques noting their accomplishments will be displayed in the MPA building and in a student lounge at the School of Journalism.

MPA President Jack Whitaker, publisher of the Hannibal Courier-Post,

presented the Pinnacle Awards. Paul Stevens, Midwest region vice president of The Associated Press, read brief biographies of the inductees as they were introduced.

The Newspaper Hall of Fame honors men and women who have lived honorably, influenced unselfishly and served their communities. A selection committee chooses inductees from among nominations submitted by acquaintances, associates and the public.

Past Hall of Fame inductees include Samuel Clemens, Joseph Pulitzer and Eugene Field.