Eagle Grove Editor Named 2022 Mores Media Fellow

Published by editor on Wed, 09/21/2022 - 4:55pm

Edward Lynn, Editor of the Eagle Grove Eagle, and Jared Strong of the Iowa Capital Dispatch paused to grab a selfie. "It was really great meeting and learning from Jared," Lynn said of Strong, whose byline frequently appears in the Eagle. "The Dispatch is essentially the Eagle's Des Moines bureau. Our statewide news partner. And that makes us coworkers, in a way. I've read and published so much of his work, it was fantastic to meet him and learn some of his tricks of the trade." Photo by Edward Lynn.

By:

Sara Middleton

Correspondent

The Eagle's Editor, Edward Lynn, was recently named one of the twelve Mores Media Fellows for the class of 2022, and spent the end of last week at the program’s leadership institute in Des Moines.

According to the Iowa Newspaper Association (INA) website, “The Mores Media Fellowship is a three-day program created to enhance the leadership, organizational and performance skills of mid-to-upper level newspaper professionals. The program establishes a network of current and future newspaper leaders who understand and can respond to local, regional and national issues impacting the newspaper industry. Since 2009, 70 newspaper professionals have graduated from the leadership institute.”

“I think a lot of good information was shared of the sort that can help someone live up to the challenge of becoming a leader in journalism,” Ed said of his experience.

Steve and Alan Mores of Harlan Newspapers donated $60,000 to establish the Mores Media Fellowship to honor their father, Leo Mores. Who, according to the INA website, was the “longtime publisher of the Harlan News-Advertiser and Harlan Tribune."

In response to this opportunity, Lynn was “truly astonished to have been chosen to join this remarkable group of people," saying he was "honored to have been recognized for my work." But it wasn't just a pat on the back, Lynn noted, saying "it feels like both an honor and a responsibility.”

Other 2022 Mores Fellows included:

Travis Fischer, Charles City Press & Former Editor of the Hampton Chronicle
Greg Forbes, Enterprise Media Group Editorial Director
Emily Hawk, Associate Editor, Ottumwa Courier & Oskaloosa Herald
Natlaie Henriksen, Editor, Emmetsburg Reporter-Democrat
Allie Hinga, News Editor, Telegraph Herald
Mike Kolbe, Advertising Director, Harlan Newspaper
Elaine Loring, Editor, Iowa Falls Times Citizen
Katie Phillips, Marketing Consultant, Agriview Publisher
Christina Risting, Director of Digital Service, Mid-America Publishing
Justin Rust, Managing Editor, Iowa Information & The N’West Iowa Review
Kent Thompson, General Manager & Editor, Humboldt Independent

The presenters and speakers were a distinguished group, and the subjects discussed were weighty.

INA Executive Director Susan Patterson Plank and INA Foundation Director Jana Shepherd started the event off with a getting to know each other exercise that was designed to bring each member of the fellowship class a deep understanding of each other – and a deeper understanding of themselves.

The INA's Sales & Marketing Director Kris Maggard discussed the pressing issue of revenue diversification in a business that's challenged by declining revenues caused by disruptive forces like social media, digital only publications, political discord and more. Because like anything else, when it comes to news, you get what you can pay for.

Leadership expert Cathy Belmont of ATW Training, a past board member for Susan G. Komen of Greater Iowa, led a session on the levels of leadership and strategies for becoming a more effective leader.

Patterson Plank then led a discussion of the issue of employee compensation in a time when newspapers are struggling to find and retain talent.

Trevis Mayfield of the Maquoketa Sentinel Press discussed newspaper budgeting and trends. Tony Baranowski, Manager of Special Projects at the Cedar Rapids Gazette discussed continuing education in newspapers, and making an impact with your work.

Investigative reporters Vanessa Miller of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Jared Strong of the Iowa Capital Dispatch (whose byline often appears in the Eagle) and veteran Des Moines Register and On Brief reporter Rox Laird discussed open records laws, navigating public records, and techniques for developing sources and uncovering hidden truths.

Professor Carl Vieregger, Ph.D. of Drake University led an exercise on ethics in complex situations.

Adam Wilson, Metro Editor at the Des Moines Register led a panel discussion on community economic development and the newspaper business. Also on the panel were Amy Duncan, publisher of the Indianola Record Herald-Tribune and the Indianola Independent Advocate, who along with her husband recently purchased the paper they both used to work for from newspaper conglomerate Gannett, as well as Ben Reeves, City Manager of Indianola, and Rachel Gocken, executive director of Warren County economic development.

"And in addition to all that, they fed us like kings and queens," Lynn said of the packed schedule. Finally, as a parting gift, each member of the fellowship was given "a pair of socks with the First Amendment emblazoned on them," Lynn said, "Come Christmas, those stockings will certainly be hung from my mantle with care.”