Associated Press leader gives valuable advice to his Collegian successors

By Nicole Woods
Collegian Editor
March 22, 2006

Although students are used to seeing successful La Salle alumni mentioned in the news, many are unaware that an alumnus heads the world’s largest and oldest news organization. Tom Curley, ’70, is president and CEO of The Associated Press (AP), an international wire service that provides news for more than a billion people a day.

Tom Curley is a former editor in chief of the Collegian. He now heads the
Associated Press- Daniel Burke Photography

Curley enjoyed a long and successful journalistic career before being named leader of AP in 2003. While at La Salle, he worked as editor in chief of the Collegian and earned a political science degree. After graduating, he worked as a night city/suburban editor at a Rochester, N.Y. newspaper owned by Gannett Co., Inc., which publishes 100 dailies in the United States. He later became director of information for Gannett and began coordinating its newspaper research projects. In 1979, he was assigned to study the feasibility of a national newspaper, which led to the creation of USA Today. As the original news staffer, Curley rose to become president and publisher of USA Today in 1991. During his tenure, it became the nation’s largest-selling daily newspaper.

Curley is now a vice chairman of the board at La Salle. He was honored by the Communication Department as the recipient of its Shining Star Award in 2003. Curley recently spoke with the Collegian on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

Collegian: How do you remember your undergraduate years at La Salle? What role did the Collegian have on the campus then, and do you think that role changed during the ’60s?

Tom Curley: The era was amazing. Vietnam, Vatican II, civil rights, cities and universities in turmoil. One author believes 1968 was the most important year in world history because it was the first year of worldwide student protest.

The era was a great time to come of age as a journalist, providing many tests. I am fond of Christian Brothers because of their steadfast commitment to education. I saw that commitment demonstrated daily during this era and am grateful for the encouragement they provided for serious inquiry.

C: How do you remember your time working on the Collegian? Do you think it prepared you for your positions at USA Today and The Associated Press?

T.C.: At an early age, I learned about decision-making, innovation, risk-taking, leadership, deadlines and the value of facts and fairness to a community. The years at the Collegian were pivotal.

C: What direction should the Collegian take in its 75th year and onward?

T.C.: The editors should demand better graphics, reproduction quality and photos tonight. The lay-out should be updated to a more visual, bold, modern look.

The Collegian needs an adviser who can help improve concepts for articles and push for good writing, as well as be thoughtful about values, ethics, fairness and other journalism principles. A weekly has to find its voice. In the Net age, perspective has to mix with news. No one will read a five-day-old report on a basketball game unless there’s fresh insight.

Finally, I’m for more coverage of campus people and issues and fewer thumbsuckers on national or pseudo-national topics (e.g.: Philly sports).

C: What advice do you have for aspiring journalists today?

T.C.: This is an amazing moment in history. You can still make a big difference, and your contribution can have global impact. The world needs journalists for inspiration, insight and truth more than ever. The work is very hard, and it can be extremely rewarding. Courage, discipline and listening skills are prerequisites.

C: Did you always know that you wanted to work in journalism? Why did you major in political science at La Salle?

T.C.: My interest in journalism pre-dated La Salle. Journalism is the only career I considered. Political science seemed more applied than history, and I was interested in knowing how countries and governments functioned, as well as the study of leadership.

C: How did you make the leap from working at one of Gannett’s local papers to becoming the company’s director of information just six years out of college?

T.C.: Education made everything possible. Post-graduate work in business strategy complemented the La Salle experience.

C: Did working on the startup of USA Today require more business savvy or journalism skills?

T.C.: Journalism opened the door, and journalism’s lessons – assemble the facts before writing – carried the day.

C: Which of your qualities have contributed the most in your success in journalism?

T.C.: Journalism ultimately is about caring for and understanding people. Knowing when and whom to trust makes a journalism career. You have to learn to manage yourself, especially not writing more than you know.

C: What is the most challenging aspect of reporting the news?

T.C.: Great reporters position themselves to see what the important story is. For instance, the surface coverage today is about violence or oil politics in the Mideast. The real story is a clash of cultures and a reaction to modernity. Preparation is critical, and that’s something La Salle teaches well.

C: What is the most significant moment of your career?

T.C.: It probably will turn out to be the fight for freedom of information.

woodsn1@lasalle.edu