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Jack Briggs, BJ '61

Jeff Briggs, BJ '85

Jack Briggs, BJ '61, is the third of four generations of proud Missouri Journalism alumni - and then some. His grandfather, Frank P. Briggs, BJ '15, a student of Missouri School of Journalism founder Walter Williams, was the man who started it all. Frank was the renowned owner and publisher of the Macon (Mo.) Chronicle-Herald who served in Harry Truman's vacated U.S. Senate seat and eventually held a position in John F. Kennedy's administration. Frank's commitment to journalism influenced his grandson Jack and other members of their family to follow in his footsteps. Read on to learn more about Jack's career in journalism and the journalistic lineage of the Briggs family.

A four-generation Missouri Journalism family. From left: Tom Briggs, Jour '39; Jeff Briggs, BJ '85; Frank P. Briggs, BJ '15; and Jack Briggs, BJ '61. Photo courtesy of Jack Briggs.

Frank P. Briggs (front, center) joined other recipients of the 1958 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism in Dean Earl English's office. Recipients speaking with English (standing, left) included: (back row) Frank Stanton, president, Columbia Broadcasting System; Harold E. Fey, editor, The Christian Century; (seated) Daniel R. Fitzpatrick, editorial cartoonist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Briggs; and Eugene C. Pulliam, publisher, The Indianapolis Star. Photo: University Archives, C:11/15/1.

Tom Briggs (second from right) attended a Missouri Newspaper Advertising Managers Association luncheon at the Daniel Boone Hotel during Journalism Week 1960. Photo: University Archives, C:11/15/1.

What did you do in your career?
I was a small-town daily newspaper editor for 20 years at the Macon (Mo.) Chronicle-Herald. When I kept writing editorials about how we needed an economic developer to lead Macon's efforts, they offered me the job, and I took it. After spending six years in economic development in Macon County, I took the 28-county economic development job for N.W. Electric Power in Cameron, Mo. I retired from there in 2004.

How did you get your job?
I was offered my first job in Macon at the family-owned newspaper right out of journalism school in 1961.

What awards have you won in your career?
I have been named the National Rural Economic Developer of the Year and Missouri's first Professional Economic Developer of the Year, in addition to winning the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Innovation Award. I have accepted honors from three governors, the State of Missouri and the Associated Press. I also have served on national economic development boards, national housing boards and as president of three statewide associations.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
We had it drilled into us that the spelling had to be right. The sources (plural) had to be right. Your integrity had to be right.

What advice do you have for current students?
Take the classes in media law, public relations and ethics, and then network with your peers.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
I sat behind a gal in Dr. Taft's H&P (History and Principles of Journalism) class who inspired me. Another favorite memory is when I attended the Missouri Honor Medal event for my grandfather, Frank P. Briggs, who was a recipient in 1958.

What's a little known fact about you?
My efforts as an economic developer in Macon County merited a feature article in The New York Times.

Describe the careers of your grandfather, father and son.
My grandfather, Frank P. Briggs, BJ '15, was the mayor of Macon, Mo., and owner of the Macon Chronicle-Herald. He served in the Missouri State Senate from 1933-1944, several years as senator pro-tem, and shortly thereafter was appointed to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Harry S. Truman in 1945. He served in the Senate until 1947 and was a charter member of the Missouri Conservation Commission. He also served as the assistant secretary of the interior for fish and wildlife in the John F. Kennedy administration. He received the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism in 1958, and I recall how proud I was to be able to be there.

My father, Tom Briggs, Jour '39 (attended), was the long-time advertising manager for the Macon Chronicle-Herald and subsequently publisher. He served on the board of the Columbia Missourian for several years, in addition to serving as president of the Northeast and Northwest Press Associations. As state president of the Elks Lodge, he was instrumental in establishing mobile dental units sponsored by the Elks.

My son, Jeff Briggs, BJ '85, is the community relations manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation. He serves as the spokesman for MoDOT on local and national issues.

How did your family instill the importance of journalism in you?
The impact was so huge that a large number of my grandfather's extended family went into the field: His sons Tom (my father) and Gene, BJ '43 (my uncle), who worked at the Portland Oregonian; his daughter Ruth (Briggs) Bratek, BJ '45, MA '64, who taught advertising at the J-School for years; granddaughter Cathy Bratek Dvorak, BJ '71, MA, '74, and her husband, Jack Dvorak, PhD '75; and one great-grandson, Jeff Briggs, BJ '85.

What does it mean to you to be part of a four-generation J-School legacy?
It makes me extremely proud. Most people have a strong sense of family pride – but our connection to the J-School seems to underline everything. It gives us a feeling of purpose and community service.