Wheeling Hall of Fame: G. Ogden Nutting
1935 -
Business, Industry and Professions
Inducted 2013
G. Ogden Nutting was born in 1935, and it could be said that he arrived with newspaper publishing in his blood. The history of newspaper publishing in Wheeling far precedes the role taken by Nutting. In fact, the current business, The Ogden Newspapers, dates back to 1890 when Nutting’s grandfather, H.C. Ogden, another member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame, started the Wheeling Daily News. Described as a “spirited editor and publisher who cared deeply about his community,” H.C. Ogden imparted his high ideals and entrusted the future of his newspapers to his descendants.
In 1968 Nutting became the third generation of his family to direct and manage the company when he became general manager after twelve years working in all departments at several newspapers. He was named president and publisher in 1970. Under Nutting’s leadership, the company has continued to expand to take advantage of opportunities in new markets and now publishes in twelve states. He has skillfully guided a Wheeling business founded in the 19th century into the challenging corporate climate of the 21st century. The Ogden Newspapers is West Virginia’s largest newspaper company and one of the ten largest in the country in a number of daily newspapers.
Besides being an astute and able publisher, Nutting is also a strong contributor to the community. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the West Virginia University Foundation, is on the Board of Trustees of both Bethany College and the Linsly School, and is a former member of the Visiting Committee of the WVU School of Journalism. He and his family have demonstrated a commitment to education in West Virginia through scholarships, endowments, and other support to Bethany College and WVU.
Over the course of his long and productive career, his publishing peers and the institutions he has served have recognized Nutting. In 2012 he received the Frank W. Mayborn Leadership Award from the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association in recognition of his vision, community leadership, and significant contributions to the newspaper industry. Comments when that award was presented included, “He is deeply committed to the cities and towns his newspapers serve.” “He celebrates the successes of those communities and heralds stories of people at their best. He shares their losses and is committed to reporting their failings – particularly when those failings are the fault of elected leaders. Above all, he underscores the importance of what we leave behind to the next generation.” He is a “leading light in our industry, a visionary and the epitome of a community newspaperman.”
Other awards and honors Nutting has received include an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Bethany College, an Honorary Doctorate from West Virginia University; membership in the WVU Business Hall of Fame and the Order of Vandalia; the Paul A. Atkins Friend of the School Award from the WVU Journalism Alumni Association; WVU’s Most Loyal West Virginian Award for his service to WVU and the state; WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Philanthropy Award; and the University’s Distinguished Service Award for exceptional leadership.
Active in national and state newspaper and journalism associations, Mr. Nutting has served on boards or committees of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association; the American Newspaper Publishers Association; and the West Virginia Press Association, which in 1994 named him a life member “in appreciation for years of outstanding service” and gave him the Adam R. Kelly Premier Journalist Award.
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