The Missouri Miner: Editors-in-Chief: Joseph J. Masnica, Jr.

Research Project: 100 years of
The Missouri Miner 1915-2015

Est'd. 1915, Fred Grotts, Founder

Joseph J. Masnica, Jr.
EIC 1958-1959

RB: From when to when were you Editor-in-Chief of the Missouri Miner? Who proceeded and followed you in that position? Share your memories of these individuals.

JM: Richard Okenfuss preceded me. I was EIC from Nov - 57 thru Dec 58 & graduated-1-59. Don't remember who succeeded me -- I think Jim Kozney [sic].

(Jim Kozery actually preceded Masnica from April - May 1958. Archives of the newspaper would indicate that Masnica was EIC from 1958-1959. -Ed.)

RB: What other positions did you hold on the Missouri Miner staff. How were elections held?

JM: Sports Editor, Feature Editor -- I wrote "The MSM Merry Go Round" Humor Feature with cartoonist Dennis Camp. Kenny Baxter, KA, and I called ourselves "Bax" & Moxnix." ["Moxnix" was a] nickname from Army services (tanks in Germany).

RB: What were the biggest challenges you faced as Editor-in-Chief of the Missouri Miner?

JM: Budget--[we] never had enough money and [the] Board of Regents didn't give sufficient budget. I contacted some Army buddies who flooded us with advertising. Our advisor--Karl Moulder--then said we had too much money in our account. I overcame that problem by taking the whole staff to the "International Intercollegiate Newspaper Convention" in New York City. I believe it was nine students, Moulder, and me. We visited the NYSE, flew round-trip, and stayed in a great hotel. It was the first trip for most of them for [a] conference. [We] tried to develop writing skills and have a great time. On our return trip, we ate at "Stan Musials" Restaurant in St. Louis. This trip was the biggest thing in most of these young guys lives!

RB: What "big" stories are most memorable to you and why?

JM: The integration of U. of Arkansas. The governor was a strict segregationist and called National Guard to keep out the first black student. Had an enlarged edition with Moulder writing the "Southern Viewpoint" and our economics professor (can't recall name) who was a constitutional expert write the vs. opinion.

RB: What effect did major national events (i.e. wars, assassinations, etc.) have on the Missouri Miner's reporting? How did you handle these events?

JM: We tried to cover all news with an open mind--small town thought.

RB: How significant a role do you feel you and the Missouri Miner played in campus life during your tenure as Editor-in-Chief?

JM: Our "Merry Go Round" humor section poked fun at professors and students. [We] got a lot of feedback on the column and cartoons.

RB: How did your time as Editor-in-Chief of the Missouri Miner help prepare you for life after college? What lessons did you learn?

JM: [I] learned good concise writing skills, [how to] manage a group of young men, and the value of advertising contacts.

RB: What was your staff like at the Miner?

JM: Most of the staff were young guys from small towns. The New York trip was their first exposure to the biggest city in the world plus meeting new folks--particularly young women.

RB: Who was the Missouri Miner's faculty advisor?

JM: Karl Moulder. [An] English professor from Arkansas, [he was] single [and] living with his mother. He was our "Southern Gentleman" in his three-piece suits and facial hair mustache.

RB: Where was the Missouri Miner's office? What equipment did you use to produce the newspaper every week? If you published at the Rolla Daily News (the local city paper), what was your relationship with Ed/Steve Sowers? If not, where did you publish the paper?

JM: Office was at the Rolla News printers. Equipment was an old offset, noisy press. Don't remember any problems with the publisher--we got along.

RB: How would you describe your management style?

JM: Slow, loose, and enjoy the moments.

RB: Describe your relationship with the administration at MSM/UMR.

JM: Somewhat touchy. I didn't feel we should share our ad profits. Also ticked off a foreign exchange jerk who impregnated a local beauty. Wrote him up in the "Merry Go Round".

RB: Describe your relationship with Student Council at MSM/UMR.

JM: Acceptable. We on the staff were all fraternity guys and gave Student Council good coverage.

RB: Summarize your thoughts and feelings about your time as Editor-in-Chief of the Missouri Miner.

JM: One of the most enjoyable times of my life. To see the wonderment in the young guys eyes in New York City for a week was unforgettable. The paper was a good outlet from the school/college pressure. The salary was welcome "beer" money.