Franklin D. Schurz Jr., Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Mishawaka-based Schurz Communications Inc., a media holdings company that publishes the South Bend Tribune and 11 other daily papers, has just recently been selected as Top Publisher of the Year for 2019 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the profession.
While inclusion with the International Association of Top Professionals is an honor in itself, only a few members in each discipline are chosen for this distinction. These special honorees are distinguished based on their professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, longevity in their field, other affiliations and contributions to their communities. All honorees are invited to attend the IAOTP’s annual award gala at the end of this year for a night to honor their achievements. www.iaotp.com/award-gala
With close to three decades of professional experience in the Publishing industry, Mr. Schurz has certainly proven himself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field. As a dynamic, results-driven leader, Mr. Schurz demonstrated success not only in his past role as Chairman of the Board of Schurz Communications, Inc., but in every position he has ever held. His impressive repertoire of prior roles has included President of Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, the Hoosier State Press Association, the Chesapeake A.P. Association, and the Institute of Newspaper Controllers and Finance Officers. He has been Editor and Publisher of both the South Bend Tribune in South Bend, Indiana, and the Morning Herald and Daily Mail in Hagerstown, Maryland. For 15 years Mr. Schurz also spent time in broadcasting, serving as President of WDBJ Television, Inc. Roanoke, Virginia; WAGT Television, Inc. Augusta, Georgia; KY3, Inc. Springfield, Missouri; and WASK, Inc. Lafayette, Indiana.
Mr. Schurz was a dedicated serviceman, serving in the US Army Reserves Artillery from 1952-1962, ranking from Second Lieutenant to Captain. Mr. Schurz also earned his AB in 1952 from Harvard University and his MBA from Harvard University in 1956. Mr. Schurz continued his education doing postgraduate work involving the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He received an Honorary LHD from Indiana University in 2015.
The President of IAOTP, Stephanie Cirami, stated: “Choosing Mr. Schurz for this award was an easy decision for our panel to make. He is brilliant and a renowned authority in the publishing world. His awards, accolades and community involvement are beyond impressive. He is humble and gracious, and we felt he would be an amazing asset to our organization. We are looking forward to meeting him at the gala and know we will be seeing more amazing things from this incredible man.”
Throughout his illustrious career Mr. Schurz has received numerous awards, accolades and has been recognized worldwide for his outstanding leadership and commitment to his profession. For 2019 he is being considered for a feature in TIP (Top Industry Professional) Magazine, and he is being considered for the Lifetime Achievement Award aside from his selection already as Top Publisher of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). In 2018 he received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and has been in numerous editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in Entertainment, Who’s Who in Media and Communication, Who’s Who in the Midwest and Who’s Who in the World. He has also received the NAB Chuck Sherman Award, the Casey Award from the University of Minnesota, the AWRT Achievement Award from the American Women in Radio and Television, the Frank Rogers Award from the Rotary Club of South Bend (IN), the Presidential Award of Merit by the National Newspaper Association and the Lifetime Achievement Silver Award from the Michiana Ad Club.
Aside from his successful career, Mr. Schurz is active in his community, has served on many boards and committees and is a contributor to many professional journals. He served on the board of directors of the Newspapers Advertising bureau, The American Press Institute, the Southern Production Plan, and the Riverside Press Enterprise, and Inland Press Association. Mr. Schurz has also been an instrumental force for the growth of Indiana University’s South Bend campus. He established the Opportunity Scholarship in 2003 which awards students based on academic achievement and financial need. Mr. Schurz has also help bring on other donors to invest in the University.
Looking back, Mr. Schurz attributes his success to his perseverance, mentors he has had along the way, and staying passionate in all his business endeavors. When not working, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. For the future, he hopes to continue to make a difference in people’s lives in any way that he can.
For more information on Mr. Schurz please visit: www.iaotp.com
About IAOTP
The International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) is an international boutique networking organization who handpicks the world’s finest, most prestigious top professionals from different industries. These top professionals are given an opportunity to collaborate, share their ideas, be keynote speakers and to help influence others in their fields. This organization is not a membership that anyone can join. You have to be asked by the President or be nominated by a distinguished honorary member after a brief interview.
IAOTP's experts have given thousands of top prestigious professionals around the world, the recognition and credibility that they deserve and have helped in building their branding empires. IAOTP prides itself to be a one of a kind boutique networking organization that hand picks only the best of the best and creates a networking platform that connects and brings these top professionals to one place.
For More Information on IAOTP please visit: www.iaotp.com
