Defense Information School Holds Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction

By Lisa R. RhodesMarch 27, 2013

DINFOS Introduces Inaugural Hall-of-Fame Inductees
CSM Emma Krouser (left),Defense Media Activity Director Ray Shepherd ( 2nd from left) and Defense Information School Commandant Jeremy Martin (far right) congratulate Clarence Page (third from left), John Roswell Camp (center) and Jim Bryant, three D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MEADE, Md. (March 26, 2013) -- The Defense Information School held its inaugural induction ceremony for the DINFOS Alumni Hall of Fame, March 14.

In recognizing the achievements of the prominent alumni, DINFOS Commandant Col. Jeremy Martin called the event a "great day for the Defense Media Activity and a great day for the Defense Information School."

Martin said the seven inductees of the Class of 2012 are professionals "firmly established among the best journalists, authors and visual information communicators in the nation.

"I salute each and every one of you for your outstanding service to our nation while in uniform, and for your lifelong commitment to professionalism and excellence, which has propelled you to rise to the top of your profession."

The DINFOS Alumni Hall of Fame was established to recognize living or deceased graduates of DINFOS, the Defense Photography School, the Defense Visual Information School and other predecessor schools who have demonstrated significant contributions to the military, their chosen profession or the country.

The Hall of Fame also is designed to provide positive role modes for current DINFOS students.

The Hall of Fame was in planning for several years, but came into fruition under Martin's leadership.

The inductees who attended the ceremony are: Jim Bryant, a 1980 DINFOS student and award-winning freelance photojournalist and author whose photography has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post and The London Daily Mail; John Roswell Camp, a 1967 DINFOS student who is a journalist, winner of a Pulitzer Prize in 1986 and the author of more than 30 novels that have appeared on the New York Times best-seller list; and Clarence Page, a 1970 DINFOS student who is a nationally syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune and a 1989 Pulitzer Prize-winner for commentary.

The remaining inductees who were not present at the ceremony are former Vice President Walter Mondale, a 1952 DINFOS student; LouAnne Johnson, a DINFOS student from 1972 to 1974 who is the author of more than five books including the New York Times best-seller "Dangerous Minds;" Les Payne, a 1966 DINFOS student who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1974, was a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and a columnist for Tribune Media Services; and Steve Doig, a 1970 DINFOS student and former DINFOS instructor from 1971 to 1973, who is the Knight Chair in Journalism at Arizona State University and a 1990 Pulitzer Prize-winner for public service.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Jim Gilbert, deputy director of training at DINFOS, served as emcee for the 45-minute event. DINFOS Chaplain (Lt.) Todd Delaney gave the invocation before the audience viewed a brief film highlighting the achievements of the Class of 2012 inductees.

The three recipients in attendance each received a Hall of Fame plaque and a letter from Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little, who is the Pentagon press secretary.

"I'm greatly humbled," Bryant said in his remarks. "Photojournalism has been one of my great passions and has made my life worthwhile."

In his remarks, Camp said he considered becoming a lawyer before attending DINFOS in 1967. But he called his career as a journalist "amazing from beginning to end, and I have DINFOS to thank for that."

Page said that after earning his journalism degree at Ohio University in 1969, DINFOS provided him with the discipline he needed.

"Let me say thank you to DINFOS, thank you for helping me," Page said. "As my Daddy used to say, 'Went in there as a boy, came out as a man.' "

After the ceremony, Bryant, Camp and Page joined other guests at a reception. The inductees later visited DINFOS students in the classroom to answer questions about careers in communication.

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