Two weekly newspaper couples were inducted into the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame on Friday, April 26, during the 141st South Dakota NewsMedia Association (SDNA) convention in Huron.
Gayle A. Van Genderen and J.P. Studeny, longtime publishers of The South Dakota Mail at Plankinton, and Bruce Odson and his late wife Susan Odson, former publishers and editors of the Southern Union County Leader-Courier at Elk Point and the Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City Times, joined 114 distinguished honorees in the Newspaper Hall of Fame.
“We are honored to recognize these two couples,” said 2023-24 SDNA President Kristi Hine, publisher of the True Dakotan at Wessington Springs. “They exemplify the best in community journalism and service to their communities through their newspapers.”
Bruce and Susan Odson
Bruce entered the newspaper business following a successful career in banking, where he oversaw banks in four states. He purchased the Leader-Courier in Elk Point in 1995, followed by newspapers in northwest Iowa and Dakota Dunes and North Sioux City in 2005. He served as publisher for the newspapers and had a flair for selling advertising.
Susan came to the newspaper business as a certified public accountant with a music degree and fell in love with what local newspapers could do for their community. She started in circulation and bookkeeping before adding graphic design, layout and public notices work. In 2015, she was named editor of the Southern Union County Leader-Courier and focused on government, school and local event news coverage.
During the Odsons' tenure, the publications and staff won more than 200 newspaper contest awards, including frequent awards for general excellence. Bruce wrote a successful sports column and publisher’s notebook, while Susan won numerous individual story and photo awards. Susan took pride in her photographs for the newspaper.
Bruce served as SDNA president in 2005-06. Bruce also was active in his community, including 16 years as president of the North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation; three terms as chairman of the Board of Goodwill of the Great Plains; and 22 years on the community board of U.S. Bank in Sioux City. Susan was active in the local League of Women Voters and volunteered as an accompanist for Vermillion High School music students.
The Odsons sold their newspapers in 2022, and Susan died one month later. For 22 years, the Odsons published quality local news and demonstrated the effectiveness of a quality community newspaper, making a significant contribution to the newspaper industry and journalism in South Dakota.
Gayle A. Van Genderen and J.P. Studeny
Gayle A. Van Genderen grew up in a newspaper family. Her parents – Bob and Adeline Van Genderen – were longtime publishers of The South Dakota Mail at Plankinton. At age 5, Gayle was running her fingers through the ink tray and punching the linotype keys when no one was looking.
J.P. Studeny began his career in journalism in radio broadcasting in Pennsylvania, his native state. He moved to South Dakota and continued his career as a radio announcer in Pierre where he met Gayle. He joined his new wife’s family newspaper business in Plankinton in 1987.
Over the years, both Gayle and J.P. have demonstrated a commitment and compassion for community newspapering that is without equal. They have worked tirelessly as a twoperson team publishing a newspaper that is both a community watchdog and civic booster, a newspaper of record and a source of entertainment and pride for Plankinton residents and others.
J.P. has always worked to make a difference in the community. As president of the Plankinton Board of Education, he experienced both a community and personal tragedy the night of Friday, Nov. 17, 2000, when responding to a propane leak at the school building with the superintendent and the school custodian. Two lives were lost that night and the community shattered.
The challenge of being school board president, county emergency manager and co-publisher of the newspaper were daunting tasks indeed. Having to lead on three fronts did not stop J.P., who worked tirelessly with others in the community, resulting in a new school building three years later.
Gayle also has been at the forefront of community involvement and support during her career. She has served on several community boards, from the library to the city council. She currently is president of the Plankinton Preservation Society.
Over the years, few have been more committed to advocating for community newspapers and the public’s right to know than Gayle and J.P.
Plaques honoring members of the Newspaper Hall of Fame are displayed in the lobby of the Anson & Ada May Yeager Hall at South Dakota State University. The SDSU School of Communication and Journalism has been home to the Newspaper Hall of Fame ever since the Hall was established in 1934. More information can be found at www.sdna.com/about.
South Dakota NewsMedia Association, based in Brookings, represents the state’s newspapers and digital news outlets.
