The man behind the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media is a native of Eureka and a graduate of the University of South Dakota. In fact, Al Neuharth's journalistic roots began as editor of the college newspaper.

Neuharth started this award to bring recognition to the school and inspire young journalists. He was a pioneer himself when he started USA Today, which was one of the first newspapers to use color pictures. But with the internet, the economy and the changing media, Neuharth says it's important to inspire young journalists now more than ever.

The Al Neuharth Center at the University of South Dakota displays the evolution of media from the past to the present, but Neuharth says it's the future of American media that may be going through one of the biggest changes he's seen.

"I think the news and information business, and preparing for it, is more important now than anytime in my memory because the hunger is greater all over the world," Neuharth said.

From bankrupt newspapers and TV stations to internet chat rooms and blogs, journalism has changed and been challenged recently, but Neuharth says the future is bright if journalists continue to stick to their principles of ethically reporting facts.

"I think the ideal media professional should be trained not to just be a print journalist, not just a broadcast journalist, not just a blogger on the web, but to be trained and believe that we should utilize our talents to gather and then distribute," Neuharth said.

Just like when he developed USA Today almost 30 years ago, Neuharth says journalists need to be willing to change with the times.

"Those of us who gather and produce it need to deliver it in ways that appeal to more and more people in all walks of life and all ages," Neuharth said.