STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Austin Lewter, a Tarleton State University Journalism Instructor, was recently appointed to serve on the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF) Board of Directors.
He was nominated to the board by fellow Texan and board president Randy Keck, owner of the Community News in Aledo.
“Austin’s years of experience both in the industry and the college classroom make him a perfect fit for our board of directors,” said Keck. “His background in journalism education is especially welcome to our mission at the foundation.”
The NNAF is a nonprofit trade association that represents America’s community newspapers. It is a sister organization of the National Newspaper Association (NNA). Lewter’s appointment was made official at the NNA Annual Convention earlier in the fall in Omaha, Neb. The two groups work together to protect, promote and enhance the nation’s community newspapers.
“Mr. Lewter will be an amazing ambassador for Tarleton State at the national level,” said Dr. Chris Gearhart, Department Head for Communication Studies. “He is passionate about student achievement. His advocacy for the journalism industry is rooted solely in a personal desire to ensure the next generation of journalists are set up for success.”
Lewter also serves as the director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism (TCCJ), which works to support and train community newspapers across Texas.
“The work of the center and the NNAF go hand in hand,” said Lewter. “And I am humbled by this appointment. We also work closely with the Texas Press Association and the five regional press associations in Texas to benefit community newsrooms across the state and now across the country.”
In addition to his role at Tarleton State, Lewter is the owner and publisher of the Whitesboro News-Record, a 148-year old weekly newspaper in Grayson County. He began his career at the News-Record while still in high school, and he and his wife, Jennifer, bought the publication in 2023.
Prior to taking on his role at the university, Lewter served in leadership roles at community newspapers across Northeast Texas, including stints in Paris, Jefferson, Muenster, Lindsay, New Boston, Atlanta, Pittsburg, Dangerfield and Linden.
He entered academia full time as a second career in fall 2021 when he was appointed to the faculty at Tarleton State. He serves as the journalism program lead within the Department of Communication Studies and as faculty adviser of the Texan News Service and JTAC student newspaper.
“I’m just passionate about community journalism,” said Lewter. “I have built my career around it and have integrated it into every part of what we do. I want to help community newspapers thrive in a new age, and I’m excited about building relationships outside of Texas and across the country.”
Lewter resides with his family in Collinsville where he serves locally on the board for the Collinsville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Collinsville Education Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.