University of Idaho recognizes Editor Don Shelton with Silver and Gold Award
For Immediate Release — Apr. 6, 2017
Lindsay Taylor, Consumer Marketing Manager
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Alumni Association honored Seattle Times Executive Editor Don Shelton, a 1976 graduate of the School of Communication (now Journalism and Mass Media), with a 2017 Silver and Gold Award at a ceremony on April 6. The Silver and Gold Award recognizes living alumni who have a distinguished record of achievement and service in his or her specialized area of endeavor.
Shelton was jointly presented an etched glass plaque bearing the school emblem by Kathy Barnard, Executive Director of Alumni Relations; Andrew Kersten, Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Chuck Staben, President, University of Idaho; and Ben Rae, President, University of Idaho Alumni Association.
Under his leadership as Sports Editor, The Seattle Times earned its first Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) contest “grand slam,” which is achieved by winning four top 10 awards in the daily, Sunday and special sections in its circulation and website categories. Shelton was promoted to his current newsroom leadership role in July 2016.
"I'm truly humbled by this honor from my alma mater," Shelton said. "My experience at the University of Idaho helped shape me, and I'm so thankful for this recognition and my time on campus then and now."
Shelton, has been a journalist for 40 years, 29 of those at The Seattle Times. He has also worked at The Yakima Herald-Republic, Bellevue Journal-American and Santa Rosa Press-Democrat.
Shelton has been an active alumnus, frequenting campus to meet with the news and sports staffs at the UI Argonaut. He has also served as a member of the department of Journalism and Mass Media’s advisory board since 2012.
"At a time our democracy and world desperately need us to tell the truth and hold those in power accountable, The Seattle Times and our industry are undergoing a profound transformation to digital- and audience-first. This is a pivotal, historic moment. I've never been prouder and more excited to call myself a journalist and an Idaho graduate," said Shelton.
Left to right: Kathy Barnard, Executive Director of Alumni Relations; Andrew Kersten, Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Don Shelton; Chuck Staben, President, University of Idaho; Ben Rae, President, University of Idaho Alumni Association.