Alumni News

From left: Tony Angell, Hal Newsom, Betty Houchin Winfield, Jack Geraghty, Shelby Gilje and Terry Tazioli.

Transformative alumni inducted into 2011 Hall of Fame

By Simone Willynck

Rain was in the forecast for the evening of Oct. 19, but it turned into a perfectly cool and calm night. Buzzing excitement built as everyone filtered into the Center for Urban Horticulture at the UW Botanic Gardens. The live band, constant socializing, and flow of refreshments created a lively, upbeat aura for the evening.

Inductees, alumni, and faculty alike awaited the night’s event; an evening, during which, the Department of Communication honored six new inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame. The 2011 inductees include Hal Newsom (B.A., 1952), Betty Houchin Winfield (Ph.D., 1978), Jack Geraghty (B.A., 1956), Shelby Gilje (B.A., 1958), Tony Angell (B.A., 1962), and Terry Tazioli (B.A., 1970).

The awards were beautifully displayed among the yellow roses and purple fabric. As the clanging of a wine glass chimed, everyone settled in to celebrate each inductee’s contributions to the community and their successful, inspiring careers. “Our inductees have made a vital difference in the world and have been leaders in their areas,” said Department Chair David Domke, in his introduction. Judy Howard, Divisional Dean of Social Sciences, presented the multiple accomplishments and achievements of the Department as a whole.

The ceremony soon began with the first inductee to be recognized, Hal Newsom. Supporting him that night were many of his family members including his wife, Peggy, and their four children. When Newsom reached the podium he said he at first didn’t believe it when David Domke had chosen him for the award, but he felt honored to be receiving it. Newsom, who has Parkinson’s disease, picked up his cane and read off of it, “We’re beating the daylights out of Parkinson’s day after day!” a statement that got the crowd cheering As everyone settled down, Newsom continued with his speech, talking about his work with Cole & Weber, a job he said he wouldn’t have gotten without his degree at the UW. He concluded by stating the six things he’s learned throughout his life: “Teach, teach, teach. Learn, learn, learn. Be what you can be. Don’t put your money ahead of your tongue. Respect others and be humble,” and, “don’t ever put the byline bigger than the story.”

The next inductee was Betty Houchin Winfield, accompanied by her two children, Sharon and Sid, and a table full of friends and family. Winfield began her speech by describing her experience as a female doctoral student at the UW as, “the good, the bad, the ugly, then the good again.” She shared words of wisdom from some of her professors: “Try to make a difference wherever you go. Figure out what’s needed and then do it.” Winfield noted the progress the UW has made against sexism since she was a student on campus, and the difference change can make in so many lives. “Let me emphasize that the school took a chance on me, a female, a mother, and my hope is that they continue to take a chance on unconventional students,” she said. “You never know, some of them might end up in the Hall of Fame.”

Jack Geraghty was the next honoree to the podium. Geraghty brought much of his family, including his wife, his two daughters, their husbands, and his grandchildren. Geraghty started off by talking about his experience with the journalism school and the importance it played in his life. “The thing that I really learned in journalism school is, all you have to do is tell ‘em what the folks say.” That quote, Geraghty said, has impacted his life in every aspect and, “if you simply approach life on the basis of telling your audience what the folks said, we’re all going to be better off.”

Next in line was Shelby Gilje, joined by dozens of supporters, including her granddaughters and multiple staff members from The Seattle Times. Gilje reflected on her part-time job at The Times and how she so badly wanted to make it her permanent job. She recalled how she and a co-worker “conned” a Times artist to get him to draw a cartoon for them called “Tandem Helpers.” The cartoon helped to persuade their boss to hire both of them on as permanent fixtures at The Seattle Times.

Up next to the podium was Tony Angell. Accompanying him were two tables’ worth of admirers. “I’m usually talking about birds, but I do think this honor is something to crow about,” he said, prompting a good chuckle from the audience. Angell continued, “You are born with an inclination to express yourself with line and color,” a statement he identified to be true within his own life. Art and creation have been the biggest influences in his life, and the answer to how he became the man he is today. He also said that, “Among the most important things,” that influence his life is, “the belief in who we are.”

Last but not least, it was time to honor Terry Tazioli, an honoree whose guests filled the entire room, including his family, and his friends from The Seattle Times. Tazioli talked about personal experiences he had at The Seattle Times. He also reflected on how fortunate he was to be able to stay in the Northwest and work to help people throughout his entire career, with his job of telling stories, and his work with nonprofits. He concluded his speech by saying, “To me, it’s all about knowing about your great democracy, and if we can’t do that, we’re lost.”

As the night came to a close, Domke thanked the inductees once again for all of their hard work and inspiration. “Some of the greatest takeaways and meaningful pieces have been moments like these, to get to hear people who have really transformed our society.”