2 former Butler Eagle executives lauded
Among the 100 individuals inducted into the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Hall of Fame for their contributions to journalism are two well-known Butler Eagle executives.
Vernon L. Wise Jr., longtime leader of the Butler Eagle, and Ron Vodenichar, former Eagle publisher, were honored Thursday, Nov. 14, night during a ceremony in Hershey.
The 100th Anniversary Gala celebrated the 100 honorees for their outstanding service and contribution on behalf of the Pennsylvania news media.
In addition, the newspaper also was presented a $20,000 grant from the association through its inaugural Pa. Lab for Journalism Funding program, which looks to strengthen community reporting through philanthropic efforts.
Wise, whose grandfather, attorney Levi Wise, merged his Butler County Observer with the 30-year-old Butler Eagle in 1903, began his career with his family's newspaper as a carrier.
Wise worked his way up through the ranks through high school and his education at Princeton University, where he earned a degree in 1951 in economics.
After graduation, he was called into military duty, serving in the U.S. Army in counterintelligence during the Korean War.
Upon the death of his father in 1968, Wise became president and general manager of the Butler Eagle.
Wise was responsible for many new innovations in printing and equipment during his time at the Eagle’s helm, and continues to serve on the board of directors in his mid-90s.
“I was fortunate that, despite being a small-market newspaper, the Butler Eagle, several times, was at the forefront of industry innovations, such as using computers to link the newsroom and presses,” Wise said.
Wise, who was the third generation of his family to serve as publisher, also hearkened back to the determination and leadership of his predecessors at the Eagle.
“Really, any award we win has roots in the work, years ago, of our longtime publisher, B.L. Wise,” he said. “She was my grandmother Bertha, but when she became publisher, she decided to go by ‘B.L. Wise’ so people would not know she was a woman.”
Wise called his grandmother a strong and successful leader of the Butler Eagle for many, many years.
Vodenichar retired from the top job at the Eagle in 2023.
“My time at the Eagle was always focused on doing good in the community and keeping the company on solid ground,” Vodenichar said. “While it’s nice to be recognized by this award, it is far more important to me that the Eagle has survived, while so many other newspapers are gone.
“I’m most proud of the team that remains in place, keeping the readers informed and entertained.”
He was hired in 1989 as assistant general manager. Vodenichar was promoted to general manager at the Eagle in 1999 and publisher in 2010. He was named president of the board at the Eagle in 2019, and retains that title as he continues to lead Eagle Media Corp., which includes Eagle Printing and Butler Color Press.
According to a news release from the association, hall of fame inductees will join a prominent list of newspaper and First Amendment pioneers previously inducted in the late 20th century.
“This year’s hall of fame honors 100 very special individuals who have, over their career, stood for the pursuit of the greater good and have fought for the importance of a free and fair press,” said Tanya Henderson, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation executive director. “We salute their passion and dedication to upholding such a vital role in our democracy.”
The Butler Eagle was awarded a $20,000 “kick-starter” grant for its top-scoring project, which was made possible by funding and participation from Google News Initiative, Knight Foundation, Lenfest Institute and PNA Foundation.
The Eagle’s project focuses on community healing after the July 13 mass shooting and attempted assassination at a campaign rally for then-former President Donald Trump.
Accepting the award were Tammy Schuey, Butler Eagle publisher and general manger, and Tracy Leturgey, assignment editor.
“The ‘kick-starter’ grant will set us on a three-year project entitled ‘Civics and Civility,’” Schuey said. “As our entire community knows, we have been on the national stage, and part of this project will be dedicated to helping our community heal and move forward in a more tolerant and civil manner.”
Along with the Butler Eagle, SPIRIT Media Group and WITF & the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement were selected from 12 Pennsylvania news organizations that participated in a four-month lab for journalism funding.
