A Newspaper GIANT Exits The Stage. Farewell To Courier Journal's David Hawpe.

David Hawpe retires as Courier-Journal editorial director
By The Courier-Journal

David Hawpe, editorial director of The Courier-Journal since 1996, is retiring from the newspaper after 40 years.

“David has been an iconic figure at the newspaper and in the state and region,” Executive Editor Bennie Ivory said in an e-mail to the staff Tuesday announcing Hawpe's decision. “Through his editorials and columns, he has been the voice and conscience of The Courier-Journal.”

“He has been a strong advocate for high ethics and diversity initiatives throughout his career,” Ivory said.

His retirement is effective Aug. 14.

“It's a great week for liberals and conservatives both,” Hawpe said. “Jim Bunning and David Hawpe going out at the same time.”

Hawpe started as a reporter in the Hazard bureau in November 1969. He later became an editorial writer, assistant regional editor, managing editor and editor of The Courier-Journal. He also served as city editor of the afternoon newspaper The Louisville Times.

The newspaper won four Pulitzer prizes under his direction.

“It's been great to have leadership opportunities at my hometown newspaper for such a long time, and, I hope, to help make a difference for the community we serve,” Hawpe said. “I don't think I could have asked for more than this in a journalism career.”

Hawpe was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard and served as president of the Associated Press Managing Editors Association.

He was also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.

A successor will be appointed at a later date, Ivory said.