Tom Dargan was a man of remarkable talent and intellect who applied his interests in theater and journalism to the field of broadcasting.

Tom's distinguished 38-year career as a broadcaster was marked by his emphasis on public service and humanitarian concerns. His sensitivity to a broad spectrum of public issues resulted in a significant body of documentary work that earned national recognition.

After his military service during World War II, he enrolled at the University of Washington in the School of Fine Arts where he earned his Masters Degree.

He began his broadcast career with KING-TV in Seattle, where he served as an announcer, director, newscaster and sportscaster. He also produced and directed the first national television broadcast of hydroplane racing on Seattle's Lake Washington.

In 1956, Tom became program director for KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon. During his tenure he created and produced "The Children's Doctor" for ABC-TV and his production, "Pollution in Paradise," about the Willamette River aroused national concern for a clean-water policy and was a precursor to federal and state environmental legislation.

After serving three years as station manager at Seattle's KING-TV, Fisher Broadcasting brought him to KATU-TV in Portland, as vice president and station manager. He introduced the TV magazine format in Portland with the "Sunday Morning" program which was followed by "Faces and Places" and "AM Northwest." He also instituted the Iris Award-winning "Town Hall," which became a national model for public forum programs on television.

While at KATU-TV, Tom remained a creative activist, earning distinction by receiving the Peabody award, the highest honor in broadcast journalism; the Iris Award from the National Association of Television Program Executives and countless Emmy Award nominations.

Until his untimely death in 1988, Tom's professional imperative was contained in his tireless example to serve the public need and to strive for public good. Today, that legacy lives on with the Thomas R. Dargan Minority Scholarship Fund intended to encourage and assist minority students to complete their education in broadcasting or communications.