Seattle sports editor to speak to graduating seniors

Don Shelton used U-Idaho journalism degree as springboard to successful career

Don Shelton, sports editor of The Seattle Times, the Pacific Northwest’s largest newspaper, will be the keynote speaker at the University of Idaho School of Journalism and Mass Media’s senior recognition reception on Thursday, April 25.

Shelton, a 1976 graduate of the University of Idaho with a major in journalism and a minor in radio-television, will speak at 4:30 p.m. at the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. in Moscow. His talk is titled: “You Are the Future of Journalism and Mass Media.”

The reception is free and open to the public. Faculty members will present awards to outstanding seniors in each of the four majors offered by the school: advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting-digital media.

“Don is well qualified to talk to our graduating seniors about the opportunities they will face in their careers,” said Kenton Bird, JAMM director. “He is passionate about the future of journalism but realistic about the challenges of adapting to a constantly changing media environment.”

Shelton will offer career advice to the graduates based on his own experience. “The upheaval in mass media and journalism leaves an opening for young, forward-thinking Idaho college grads with the right skills and vision,” Shelton said.

As an undergraduate, Shelton was sports editor at The Argonaut and also worked at newspapers in Moscow and Lewiston. He has been a reporter and editor at the Yakima (Wash.) Herald-Republic, the Bellevue (Wash.) Journal-American and the Santa Rosa (Calif.) Press-Democrat, and was sports editor of the latter two.

Shelton began his journalism career as an award-winning sports reporter and covered, among many other things, the inaugural games for the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks. He coordinated The Seattle Times’ high-school coverage for 21 years as an assistant sports editor before becoming sports editor in 2009.

The Seattle Times sports section routinely has been honored as one of the nation's best during Don's career, and this year earned Top 10 for Sunday sections and Top 20 for daily and special sections in the largest circulation category. He lives in Bothell with his wife, Deanna.