Carl Henn is 2011's 'Indy PR Legend'

June 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Veteran journalist and communicator Carl W. Henn, Jr., will be honored as the recipient of the 2011 “Indy PR Legend Award.” Presented by the Indianapolis Public Relations Society, the award will be given to Henn, currently the executive producer of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, at IPRS’ monthly luncheon meeting on Wednesday, June 15, at Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle, according to David Bursten, president of the Society.

Born and raised in Evansville, Henn attended Evansville College before serving in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945.  His assignments in Europe during World War II included loading and unloading cargo ships and playing in Gen. George Patton’s headquarters band.

Following his service, Henn returned to Indiana and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Butler University.  His storied communications career began in 1948 at the Indianapolis Times, where Henn was a reporter, feature writer and copy editor for the now-defunct afternoon paper.  He also established and maintained a press bureau for Marian College, handled publications and public relations for Catholic Social Services, and served as public relations consultant to the Midwest Nursing Alliance and the organization now known as Noble of Indiana.

When the Times ceased publication on October 11, 1965, Henn – then the world news editor – became a media specialist at Eli Lilly & Company.  He later served as information and public relations director for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, managing the Chamber’s Daily Legislative Service.

Henn “retired” in 1987, but served the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis as development director for the Urban Parish Cooperative, and in 1990 became general manager of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, 16 years after taking the position on a part-time basis.  In 1999, he was named the Orchestra’s executive producer.

Carl Henn’s contributions to his community are too many to mention.  For more than 30 years he has served as a narrator for the Indiana State Library & Indiana Historical Association’s Talking Books program.

Henn has served as president of the Indianapolis Newspaper Guild, Catholic Social Services, Indiana Orchestra Consortium, Butler University Alumni Association, and IPRS.  He has been a member of the boards of the Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Indianapolis Brass Choir, Indiana Tuberculosis Association,  Travel Indiana (tourism), Mid-North Shepherd’s Center, and the Indianapolis Press Club, of which he is a life member.  Henn also holds life memberships in the Society of Professional Journalists and American Legion.

“Carl Henn has told this city’s important stories for more than 60 years and is an inspiration to his peers,” says Bursten.  “We look forward to adding the title ‘Legend’ to his lengthy resume, and it’s a designation that is well-deserved.”

Ken Owen, executive director of media relations at DePauw University and former WISH and WRTV news anchor/reporter, will emcee the June 15 ceremony.

The Indy PR Legend Award was first presented in 2008 to James R. Hetherington, long-time Indianapolis journalist and public relations executive. The 2009 honoree was Robert L. Gildea, senior vice-president of Sease, Gerig & Associates, and Myra Borshoff Cook, principal of Borshoff, was last year’s recipient.

The Indianapolis Public Relations Society, formed in 1949, is a limited membership organization comprised of senior level public relations personnel.