Ted Streuli, of Edmond, is the recipient of the annual Will Rogers Humanitarian Award presented during the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ annual conference. This year, the conference is being held at the downtown Hyatt Regency in Tulsa.
Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, the great-granddaughter of Will Rogers, will present the award on Friday, June 12.
WRHA originator Robert (Bob) Haught commented: “I’m deeply touched by Ted Streuli’s humanitarian work through the foundation that honors his son, Colby, and seeks to prevent the cycle of addiction.”
Mr. Streuli served as the editor and columnist for The Journal Record in Oklahoma City from 2004 to 2018. He is now the president and executive director of Peaceful Family Solutions, an organization dedicated to preventing addiction by providing free therapy to children of parents with addiction. Mr. Streuli continues to work as a columnist with weekly pieces published in the Edmond Sun newspaper and shared online.
In 2013, Mr. Streuli founded The Colby Foundation to promote awareness and break down the stigma of mental illness. It is named after his son, Colby, who died after a decade-long struggle with schizophrenia and paranoia. The foundation annually recognizes journalists who show exemplary coverage of mental health issues and sponsors a fundraising run for mental health organizations.
For his advocacy, his awards include the Dr. Murali Krishna Award, the national Voice Award from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, as well as a number of journalism, ethics and public relations awards.
His journalism career includes working as a reporter and publisher in the 1990s and early 2000s in Texas before joining The Journal Record.
Mr. Streuli’s other volunteer work includes serving as past president of the Oklahoma Press Association board of directors and board member of Leadership Oklahoma, Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma, Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma, Freedom of Information Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Youth Hockey Association.
Tulsa was selected as the NSNC’s conference host city to honor Oklahoma’s native son, Will Rogers.
