Baggett recognized for 50 years service to journalism

Leonard Woolsey, outgoing president of the Texas Press Association, presents a Golden 50 Award to Donnis Baggett in recognition of 50 years of service to journalism. Baggett was born and reared in Livingston. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten

From Enterprise Staff

Donnis Baggett was one of four people honored with the Golden 50 Award in recognition of 50 years of service to journalism during the 143rd annual Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show held June 1-3 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Round Rock.

Born in Livingston in 1952, Baggett graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism and a minor in political science. While at SFA, he served as editor of the Pine Log, the university’s student newspaper. He also served on a committee that rewrote the student government constitution – his first involvement in politics. He called that experience “baptism by immersion in the deep end of the pool.”

He went on to work at newspapers in Livingston and Longview before The Dallas Morning News hired him in 1976. He worked as a reporter, assistant city editor and assistant state editor before being named state editor in 1982. He later was promoted to assistant managing editor and was assigned responsibility for The News’ Sunday edition. While he served in that position The News reached its all-time high in Sunday circulation.

Related Articles

VFW participating in ‘Day of Service’

Snow River Lodge to celebrate 150 years

From 1992 to 1994, he served two terms as president of the Press Club of Dallas.

After A.H. Belo Corp., owner of The Dallas Morning News, purchased The Bryan-College Station Eagle in late 1995, Baggett was named publisher and editor of The Eagle. He served eight years on the board of directors for the Texas Press Association in the late 1990s and as president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association in 2004.

In 2010 he was hired as publisher of the Waco Tribune-Herald, and in 2012 he joined the staff of the Texas Press Association as executive vice president. His primary responsibility is the association’s governmental affairs program.

Baggett is a recipient of the Mayborn Award and is a member of the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame.