WILKES-BARRE — Tom Bigler always meant what he said — and he was never afraid to say it.
More importantly, Bigler always knew exactly how to say it.
I am proud to have been one of Mr. Bigler’s friends — I consider him a mentor, who just by example and through conversation, managed to make you see far more clearly.
I spent many a morning in the restaurant of Boscov’s — formerly Fowler Dick & Walker — the Boston Store — having breakfast with Mr. Bigler and his friends, U.S. Judge Max Rosenn, and John Conyngham. I would just sit there over eggs and rye toast and listen, absorbing one pearl of wisdom after another from three of the greatest minds I have ever encountered.
Those breakfast gatherings were the best learning opportunities I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else, and the lessons learned were forever embedded in my mind.
Mr. Bigler genuinely cared about the community. And he genuinely cared about his country, having served in the military. And he always welcomed every opportunity to debate those who disagreed with him. And he always handled himself with dignity and integrity, respecting all opinions.
There has never been enough Tom Biglers in journalism — not then, but especially not now.
There should be.
That’s why Wilkes University continues to host an annual conference in Mr. Bigler’s name. It’s really critically important — and so very necessary.
Kalen Churcher was a student of Bigler’s, and she knows the kind of person and journalist he was. Kalen is an Associate Professor in the Wilkes University Communication & Media Studies Department, and she is the Adviser to The Beacon, the Wilkes student newspaper.
All the attendees at this year’s Tom Bigler Conference who decide to pursue careers in journalism would be well-served by aspiring to be a Tom Bigler-like journalist.
The 2026 Tom Bigler Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Karambelas Media and Communication Center on South Main Street.
Every year when the Bigler Conference is announced, I remember Mr. Bigler and what he always brought to the table. And I sincerely wish that Tom Bigler was still around.
Mr. Bigler, one of the most authentic journalists I have ever known, died in 2007. But his memory and his legacy continue today with the annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference at Wilkes University.
Mr. Bigler, who worked for five radio stations, three TV stations and who was a columnist here at the Times Leader during his long, impressive career, would have loved to be able to just sit and watch the interaction between students and panelists, as they discuss and debate the state of journalism today — now sometimes referred to as “fake news.”
But there was nothing even close to fake about Tom Bigler — Bigler was learned, intelligent, articulate, opinionated and, more often than not, right on target.
The conference is a great opportunity for the students to not only learn about media and journalism, but to afford them valuable information to use in their career-making decisions.
So there is hope — hope that some of these students will elect to carry the torch of great journalists like Tom Bigler.
Mr. Bigler would be very proud to see that the students attending the annual journalism conference named for him still have that inner drive to report, to be opinionated, to photograph, to design — and to accept the immense responsibility of accurately reporting the news of the day to everyday people.
The kids realize it is extremely important to get that story first, but much more important to get it right. And to always be fair by presenting all sides of every story.
That’s what Tom Bigler was all about. Mr. Bigler was the people’s advocate. His commentary sparked many a conversation and water cooler discussion.
And he did it in Tom Bigler fashion — passionate, yet gentle; outspoken, yet thoughtful; and always undaunted in every cause he fought for along the way.
In 2001, Wilkes University established an annual award for graduating seniors in journalism who embody the ideals of journalism in accuracy, fairness and good ethics, which is what he stood for — always.
Mr. Bigler embodied all who took the time to listen and observe — the necessary ingredients for a good journalist. He was a solid community member and a fair advocate of what is right.
Tom Bigler would not like the state of the media today. Nor would he be fond of the state of politics these days.
But despite how challenging it would be these days for Mr. Bigler to do what he did best, you can be sure he would not be deterred.
Our challenge is to be like Mr. Bigler as best we can — accurate, fair, ethical, passionate, and respectful.
At least we can try.