Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

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Overmyer, 74, was admitted unanimously by the selection committee. He joins 168 other
prominent Hoosier journalists in the Hall, including war correspondent Ernie Pyle, short story
writer Ring Lardner, humorist Kin Hubbard and Indianapolis Star publisher Eugene Pulliam.
Another member is Hugh A. Barnhart, who preceded Overmyer as The Sentinel’s publisher.
Also chosen for April 17 induction ceremonies at DePauw University in Greencastle are
sportscaster Chris Schenkel, the late magazine writer John Bartlow Martin, Indiana University
journalism professor emeritus Marjorie Blewett and Paoli High School teacher Ruth Farlow
Uyesugi.
The Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1966 by the Indiana chapter of
the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, to honor individuals who have
demonstrated a number of years that they are journalists of the highest distinction; that their
dedication and contribution to journalism have in turn contributed to the regard others have for
journalism, that their contributions to journalism have resulted in contributions to their
communities; and that their contributions to journalism have had significant impact on the
political, social, economic or cultural life of their communities.
Overmyer easily meets each of these requirements.
For three decades under his direction, The Sentinel helped raise money for a Rochester
city swimming pool, led efforts to support the construction of new city elementary high and
middle schools, campaigned long and successfully for the consolidation of county schools; spurred
the creation and support of the Fulton County Historical Society and Fulton County Community
Players; organized support for expansion of the old Woodlawn Hospital and later the construction
of the new Woodlawn; organized funds to raze the old hospital building; and then supported
efforts to replace it with the new Fulton County Library, to name but a few. His newspapering
philosophy helped change the face of Rochester.
During all this time his Considered Comment column, which still appears on Tuesday’s
Viewpoint page, became a useful and respected eidtorial voice to address these and other
Rochester and Fulton County issues. Politically, The Sentinel remained independent and he
expressed his political opinions without regard to any party fealty. He has won numerous Hoosier
State Press Association awards for his news and editorial writing.
Overmyer’s community leadership was not limited to his role as an editor and publisher.
As a Rochester Chamber of Commerce leader, he played pivotal roles in the decision of Hart
Schaffner & Marx and Torrington Company (now Lau Industries) to locate plants in Rochester.
He was a founder and first president of the Fulton County Historical Society, also was president of
the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club.
His first book, A Stupendous Effort, published by Indiana University Press in 1997,
chronicled the Civil War experiences of the 87th Indiana Infantry Regiment, three companies of
which were formed in Fulton County. It has received laudatory reviews in the academic press.
His second book, Reflections of a Hoosier Editor, is a selection of his weekly columns
from the past 30 years. Published in October by The Sentinel, it is enjoying brisk sales at The
Sentinel’s business office and at the Newsstand.
Here are sketches of the other four persons who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame
with Overmyer next April:
* Chris Schenkel, a native of Bippus, who as a longtime ABC network television sports
commentator was an Emmy Award winner. He now is retired.
* John Bartlow Martin, known for being in touch with the common man, began his career
with The Indianapolis Times and then moved into magazine writing. He contributed many articles
to Harper’s, Life and Saturday Evening Post, wrote 16 books and was a speech writer for
Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson.
“ Marjorie Smith Blewett devoted her career to Indiana University students.
Former editor-in-chief of the Indiana Daily Student newspaper, she became both a
lecturer and administrator at the journalism school. As placement director, she touched the life of
virtually every I.U. journalism student from 1968 until her recent retirement.