Anchored in Excellence
On September 30, 2025, Cincinnati’s journalism community will gather in the Evanston neighborhood for an evening celebrating excellence, history, and the people who have shaped how Greater Cincinnati tells its stories. The Greater Cincinnati Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will induct three remarkable figures into the Greater Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame, joining a distinguished roster of media icons who have left lasting marks on the region’s news landscape.
The ceremony, held at WVXU-FM’s new studios at 2117 Dana Avenue, will coincide with the chapter’s annual Excellence in Journalism (EIJ) Awards. This combination of honors ensures the night will be both a celebration of emerging talent and a recognition of decades of dedication.
Pat Crowley — A Voice for Northern Kentucky
The late Pat Crowley spent 27 years in journalism, spanning newspapers, magazines, internet, and television. Much of his career was anchored at The Cincinnati Enquirer, where he worked in the Northern Kentucky and Frankfort bureaus covering stories that bridged local beats and statewide issues.
After leaving the newsroom, Crowley co-founded Strategic Advisers with Jay Fossett, a Northern Kentucky-based public relations, public affairs, and marketing firm. His deep knowledge of the region and ability to connect with people made him a trusted source for readers and viewers alike. His legacy includes recognition as Kentucky’s top columnist by the Kentucky Press Association, a testament to his sharp insights and skill with the written word.
Courtis Fuller — Broadcasting Excellence and Community Leadership
For more than four decades, Courtis Fuller has been a fixture in Cincinnati media. Thirty-five of those years have been spent at WLWT-TV as an anchor, reporter, and host of the station’s public affairs program Let’s Talk Cincy. Fuller’s career is decorated with multiple Emmy Awards and honors recognizing his professionalism, storytelling, and commitment to his audience.
In 2001, Fuller stepped away from the newsroom to run for Mayor of Cincinnati, earning an impressive 45 percent of the vote in the general election. While politics was a brief chapter, his return to WLWT solidified his enduring connection to the community. Beyond the studio, he has championed causes from Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations to journalism scholarships for aspiring reporters.
Tom McKee — Forty Years of Breaking and Making News
Tom McKee’s career at WCPO-TV spanned 40 years, with roles ranging from reporter and producer to assignment manager and multimedia journalist. His reporting brought Cincinnati viewers inside local government, breaking news events, and political developments that shaped the region.
McKee’s career includes surviving the 1980 WCPO hostage crisis, an event that etched itself into Cincinnati broadcast history. His award-winning Democracy political coverage series earned a Walter Cronkite Award for Civic Engagement, recognizing its depth and public value.
Since retiring from WCPO in 2018, McKee has dedicated himself to teaching broadcast news in the Media Production Department at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), mentoring the next generation of journalists.
The evening begins with a reception from 6:00–7:00 p.m., followed by the EIJ Awards and Hall of Fame inductions at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, with reservations available via Eventbrite.
The EIJ Awards celebrate outstanding journalism in Greater Cincinnati, recognizing both professional and student work from 2024. This year’s contest drew 214 entries judged by SPJ members from across the Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Of the 131 finalists, 69 will be announced as winners during the event.
In an era of rapid media change, honoring those who have built careers on credibility, storytelling, and connection is more than ceremony—it’s a statement. Crowley, Fuller, and McKee represent different corners of the industry, but share a commitment to serving the public through accurate, compelling, and impactful reporting. Their induction is not only a recognition of their work but also an inspiration for the journalists to come.
For Cincinnati, this is more than a celebration of the past. It’s a reminder that journalism remains a cornerstone of civic life—and that behind every story is someone dedicated to telling it right.