Children's programs, Black newspaper, John Hoffman honored during regional media hall of fame event

Dec. 5—The Missouri Southern State University Department of Communication honored the history of regional media at its annual Regional Media Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony Nov. 14.

The program highlighted children's programming, including "The Fun Club" on KOAM-TV, "Bar 12 Ranger" on KODE-TV and "The Children's Hour" on KY3; Black-owned newspapers; and an influential figure in Joplin-area television, KSNF Vice President and General Manager John Hoffmann.

For the event, KGCS-TV put together a series of short documentaries on each inductee, discussing their history and contributions to the community.

Missouri Southern has been honoring pioneers in the realm of broadcast and print media since 1997, beginning with the studio's namesake, Ruth I. Kolpin.

KGCS General Manager Lisa Olliges acted as master of ceremonies for the event.

Among those honored this year were Norma Champion, longtime host of "The Children's Hour" on KY3; Terriann Wilson Williams, daughter of "Ranger" Ed Wilson, the host of KODE's "Bar 12 Ranger"; and Hoffmann.

The Hall of Fame also paid tribute to three of Joplin's historically Black-owned newspapers — The Joplin Uplift, The Joplin Advance and The Afro-American Leader. Nanda Nunnelly, president of the Minnie Hackney Community Service Center, accepted the award on the behalf of the Black History of the Ozarks Preservation Society, of which she is also president.

Champion, Williams, Nunnelly and Hoffmann each took turns at the podium to express their gratitude.

Nunnelly shared her appreciation for the efforts of the university to keep the memory of Joplin's Black history alive. "I just want to also again say that the (Augustus) Tutt family continues to serve their communities and our country and they also would like to thank you all for this."

Tutt, the owner and editor of Joplin's most successful Black-owned newspaper, The Joplin Uplift (1926-1931), is survived by his grandchildren, including U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee of California. Laminated copies of The Joplin Uplift are kept in the possession of Joplin resident and longtime curator of Black history, Betty Smith.

Hoffman said: "They're giving me this award, but it should really go to all the people I've worked with over 40 years."

In his time at the station, Hoffmann helped lead his team through the aftermath of the Joplin tornado, the construction of a new facility, and the retransmission fight with Nexstar Media Group. He also spearheaded the creation of the Missouri Southern Gold Lion Scholarship recognizing community service by high school students.