Times News editor Marta Gouger was one of 25 media professionals recently inducted into the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Hall of Fame at a celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary year.

The event, held Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Hershey Country Club, brought industry executives, emerging leaders and other luminaries together to reflect on the past while embracing the future of journalism.

The award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding and distinguished service to the news media industry in the Pennsylvania.

“I feel fortunate to have spent nearly 45 years in my chosen field of print journalism — a career that allowed me to report on news that affects taxpayers and to share people’s stories, through both their struggles and their triumphs, as a writer and an editor,’’ Gouger said about the honor. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. The Hall of Fame represents not just those years of work, but the fulfillment they have brought to my life.”

Gouger, a graduate of Palmerton High School and Point Park University in Pittsburgh, started as a general assignment reporter for her hometown newspaper, the Times News, right out of college.

She moved on to the Pocono Record, where she worked for 28 years, having served as lifestyle editor, online editor and senior editor for local and digital news.

In 2013 she returned to The Times News, where she oversees the daily publication of the newspaper and website.

She currently serves as chairwoman of the Pennsylvania News Leaders Association and has served as president of the Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association.

Other inductees were: Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, 2024 Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Advocate of the Year; David Boardman, Temple University Klein College of Media and Communications; Ed Condra, Media News Group; Mark Contreras, Calkins Media CEO Emeritus; Ruth Eddy – The Sentinel, Lewistown; Terry Egger, The Philadelphia Inquirer; Brandon Eyerly, Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg; Joe Guty, Dillsburg Banner; Larry Holeva, Media News Group; Nancy Lane, Local Media Association CEO Emeritus; Tom Lisi, LNP Media Group Inc.; Joe Lawrence, Trib Total Media, Tarentum; Kelly Luvison, Gettysburg Times; Chip Minemyer, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown; Tom Murse, LNP Media Group Inc.; Joseph Piccirillo, The Ridgway Record; Jim Sachetti, Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg; Dan Slep, Altoona Mirror; the late Joe Soprano, The Times-Leader, Wilkes-Barre, his wife, Justine Soprano, accepted on his behalf; Sharon Sorg, CNHI; Lee Templeton, Trib Total Media, Tarentum; Charlie Thompson, PennLive/The Patriot-News; Robert Lee Vann, New Pittsburgh Courier; and Stan Wischnowski, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Times News Publisher Emeritus Fred Masenheimer was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year with the organization’s inaugural class.

Five awards, including three inaugural honors, were presented this year to people whose achievements reflect positively on the state’s news media industry:

• Lifetime Achievement Award – G. Ogden Nutting.

• Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence – Sharon Sorg.

• News Media Industry Emerging Leader of the Year Award – Tammy Schuey (new in 2025).

• News Media Industry Executive of the Year Award – Christopher Baxter (new in 2025).

• News Media Industry Innovator of the Year Award – Brendan Ricciardi (new in 2025).

Hall of Fame inductee Joseph Piccirillo delivered a special address, reflecting on his 67 years of service in the news media industry. Now in his 90s, he currently works three days a week at The Ridgway Record.

PNA President and CEO Bill Cotter spoke to the spirit of the evening and the significance of the milestone.

“Closing our 100th anniversary celebration with such an inspiring gala was a powerful reminder of who we are as an association and what we stand for,” Cotter said. “This year allowed us to honor a century of journalism, advocacy and service, while celebrating the people who continue to lead this industry with courage and innovation.”

“The energy in that room reflected not only our rich history, but also the unwavering commitment of our members to informing communities and strengthening our democracy. I am deeply grateful for the partnership and trust that have sustained PNA for a hundred years.

“As we look ahead, we carry forward the same passion and purpose that brought us here, ready to embrace new challenges and new opportunities together.”

The evening’s keynote speaker was Nancy Lane, CEO emeritus of Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation. She spoke about her early days as a publisher at Pennsylvania newspapers, the challenges faced by the press today and the seven pillars of journalism sustainability.