Inducted in 1994
publisher, Miliman Newspapers Inc.
From newspaper boy to editor and publisher of more than 25 community newspapers, Richard Milliman has served Michigan journalism for the past 50 years. Milliman, born in Coldwater in 1927, has seen the evolution of technology within the field of journalism. He entered the business when hot-type and linotype were part of the jargon of the time. Today his office at Milliman Communications in Mason, Mich., features the hardware and software for desktop publishing and electronic delivery systems. Milliman has worked at, managed or owned 11 Michigan daily newspapers and 24 weekly newspapers. An innovator, he started five weekly newspapers in communities where none had previously existed.
After graduating with honors from Michigan State University in 1950, Milliman worked as a reporter in Holland for three years before moving to Lansing to cover the capitol for the Lansing State Journal. Former Governor George Romney referred to him as “the ablest and most respected journalist covering state government activities.” Milliman’s career reached beyond print journalism, as he conceived, developed, wrote and delivered a political commentary that ran in the late 1950’s on several Michigan radio stations. He has been the driving force of the Michigan Press Association Foundation, which now donates $5,000 in scholarships annually to journalism students interested in community journalism.
Today, Milliman continues to write a weekly column, the “Almanack,” which appears in more than a dozen Michigan newspapers. He started the column in 1969. He continues to demonstrate both courage and integrity in his daily endeavors. He truly is a leader of community journalists.