The Indiana Publisher

HSPA scholarships. We want to make it clear that what the students are majoring in is no longer a factor," said Miller who serves as editor of the News-Banner (Bluffton). These new Legacy Scholarships debuted in 2018. Since then, the recipients have pursued a range of interests. In 2018, Kathryn R. Gertin and Parker Marshall received the award. Gertin was accepted to Oakland City University where she planed to study environ- mental biology. Marshall headed to the University of Cincinnati to major in mechanical engineering. Last year's recipients were Emily Hoffman and Benjamin Lynk. Lynk was a four-year var- sity letterman in football and a member of the National Honor Society in high school. He was accepted at DePauw University and was interested in studying computer science. Hoffman, a graduate of Columbus North High School, was named Student of the Year for her graduating high school class. She headed to Indiana University in the fall as a pre- nursing major. As part of the application, students are asked to write an essay talking about themselves, their interests, background and "dream job." In his essay, Lynk talked about his grandparents: "My family has always lived a news- paper life, and I feel that earning this scholarship would be a trib- ute to my grandfather and my grandmother," Lynk wrote. Lynk is the grandson of Mary Jo Harney who has been the owner and publisher of the Parke County Sentinel, moving into that position after the death of her husband Richard in 1999. See pages 12-14 for this year's application. Page 2 January 2020 Deb Patterson named editor of The Papers Incorporated Staff reports The Papers Incorporated A native of the Milford- New Paris area, Deb Patter- son, has accepted the position of editor-in-chief of The Papers Incorporated, accord- ing to an announcement by Publisher Ron Baumgartner. She moved into the position Monday, Jan. 20. Patterson was named interim editor-in-chief filling the vacancy left by the death in November 2019 of Jeri Seely, long-time editor-in-chief. Patterson has been employed full time at the company since May 22, 1978. She began her tenure with the company during her senior year at Fairfield High School through an intern program, working half-days. "Deb grew up in this business and has the solid support of her co-workers in our editorial department as she takes on this new challenge. Through years of honing her reporting and photographic skills under the tutelage of Jeri and my father, Arch, I have every confidence she will continue to carry our standard forward for solid coverage of local news and events," said Ron Baumgartner, publisher. Over the years, Patterson has covered all aspects in the reporting field from sports photography, to town council/school board meetings and general news not only in Syracuse, Milford and North Webster, but throughout Kosciusko and Elkhart counties. She has spent most of her years with the company covering police, fire, courts, political and specialty organizations. "I am grateful to have the support, encouragement and backing of the staff and publisher," she said. "I had great mentoring from former publisher Arch Baumgartner and gained invaluable knowl- edge from Jeri working under her for all the years at the company. "The staff at The Papers is unbelievable and fun to work with. Being in their shoes for over 40 years, I know some of the difficulties they face when doing stories and hope to help them maneuver around those in their endeavors to bring local news to our readers. "The entire staff takes pride in their work and the news they want to share with readers. I want to help them in any way I can," she added. Patterson does not plan any changes in the operations of the editorial department and will continue to provide needed support. "My goal is to continue bringing hometown news and local issues to our readers through our print publications and online through Ink- FreeNews." Over the years Patterson has won a number of awards in photography and reporting through the Hoosier State Press Association. She was editor of the four northern Indiana Senior Life publications from their inceptions until taking on a position as editor of Ink- FreeNews. She returned to various duties in the main office editorial department. Patterson Legacy Continued from Page 1

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