“Who has the first prayer request?”
This question will stir feelings of deja vu in any student who has taken a journalism course at Taylor University in the last nine years.
Why? The answer is simple: Alan Blanchard.
As Associate Professor of journalism and the Executive Director of the Pulliam Journalism Center at Taylor University, Blanchard introduces every class with this question for a dual purpose: first, to encourage students in the discipline of prayer, and second, to teach students to ask pointed questions that elicit a direct answer.
Both lessons are necessary to create excellent Christian journalists, Blanchard’s mission during his years at Taylor University.
And now, this journey is coming to a close.
As the 2025-2026 school year closes, Blanchard will retire from Taylor and move to Michigan to spend time with his wife, Helen, his two sons and their families.
Blanchard arrived at Taylor University in 2017 after a diversity of career experiences.
He began working in the journalism field in 1979, experiencing diverse positions from news correspondent for the Roswell (New Mexico) Daily Record to editor and publisher of his own paper, the Clare (Michigan) Sentinel.
Decades deep in journalism, Blanchard loves that his field allows him to find and share others’ stories.
“Journalism affords the opportunity to tell compelling stories about real people in their everyday lives,” Blanchard said. “Stories of joy, stories of sadness. Stories of victory, stories of defeat. It is a way of life and work that involves both truth-telling and showing compassion to those we encounter as journalists.”
Blanchard also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1991, he went on hiatus from journalism to serve in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War. After arriving back in the States, Blanchard returned to his job as editor of The Tribune in Peru, Indiana. Later, in the early 2000s, he exchanged his editor’s hat for a position as a journalism professor and student newspaper adviser at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he worked for 17 years.
In 1996, Blanchard met Russ Pulliam, the associate editor, columnist and director of the Pulliam Journalism Fellowship at the Indianapolis Star. Pulliam reached out to Blanchard after reading a letter of his that was published in World Magazine. Intrigued, Blanchard reached out to Pulliam, and the two began exchanging stories.
“I think we recognized in each other fellow believers,” Pulliam said.
Throughout their friendship, Blanchard and Pulliam have exchanged prayer requests and discussed areas for growth in their relationship with God and others.
Now friends for 30 years, Blanchard and Pulliam stay in touch and seek the Lord together.
“I think (our friendship) was something that God, in His mercy, put in both of our lives,” Pulliam said. “I'm sure he's thankful for it, and I sure have been too. We're brothers in Christ, walking together, upholding one another in prayer.”
Blanchard’s role at Cornerstone grew as he became director of the university’s journalism department in 2007 and set out to expand the major. He and Pulliam collaborated in the summers when Blanchard hosted journalism camps at Cornerstone.
However, in 2017, Pulliam notified Blanchard about an opening in the journalism department at Taylor University. Blanchard interviewed for the position.
“They (Taylor) recognized especially his strong experience, just covering the news or writing the news, being an editor and a reporter,” Pulliam said. “And that's kind of how he landed at Taylor.”
Blanchard transitioned to Taylor in 2017, entering the Communication Department as associate professor of journalism and assuming the role of faculty adviser for the university’s school newspaper, The Echo.
In his nine years at the university, Blanchard has expanded the journalism major, adding six concentrations and collaborating with other departments through classes such as Politics and Opinion Writing. By incorporating other fields into the major, such as business, sports and politics, he has created a well-rounded program that gives students a multi-disciplinary education.
“He's put Taylor on the map for news journalism or for multimedia journalism,” Pulliam said. “As other schools are de-emphasizing news, he's made Taylor a hub.”
Through his friendship with Pulliam, Blanchard helped establish Taylor University's Pulliam Journalism Center in 2019, connecting journalism students with over $870,000 in journalism scholarship awards during his tenure. The creation of the Pulliam Journalism Center is one of Blanchard’s greatest accomplishments, Tom Jones, professor of history emeritus at Taylor and the former dean of Blanchard’s department, said.
“The continuing connections with the Pulliam Center – I think those are going to be important and will continue after Dr. Blanchard has left, and then give Taylor students opportunities that they might not otherwise have,” Jones said.
Sam Saad, a 2024 Taylor multimedia journalism graduate, expressed her gratitude for Blanchard and for the journalism center’s funding.
Though Saad felt God calling her toward Taylor, she was unsure of how to afford it. However, God provided a way when Blanchard directed her toward the journalism scholarships.
“The generosity in the program itself was made possible through his actions, through his heart to help students to pursue journalism, through his ability to just love on others and network,” Saad said.
As The Echo’s faculty adviser, Blanchard has run the university’s publication like a real newspaper, using it as a training ground for students and a means to connect the Taylor community.
Blanchard’s role at The Echo is indicative of his larger legacy, Jane Aubry’ Page, a 2025 multimedia journalism graduate, said. Page started a job in January as a photographer for a CBS TV news station in Austin Texas.
“Dr. Blanchard's legacy is being the bridge between administration and students and staff,” Page said. “I mean, that's really what he's been doing all these years – teaching us (student reporters) to maintain relationship(s), teaching us to inform, to be teachers, to be bold … He's kind of created a gateway for conversations. I think about things I've gotten to ask (the) administration that I would not have been able to ask, if not for The Echo or for him, that is setting us up to have that relationship with the school and the community.”
Jeff Groeling, the department chair and professor of communication, said that Blanchard has not only poured into the journalism program and the university’s newspaper but also into his students. From scholarships to breakfast meetings to his open office door, Blanchard’s care and investment in his majors is evident.
Groeling also marveled at Blanchard’s ability to cultivate reporting and writing skills in “raw” students of different backgrounds and strengths.
“He produces good journalists,” Groeling said. “I mean, when they leave here, they are prepared to jump in immediately and work for a newspaper…(I’ve) talked to our journalism graduates. They know their stuff. That's a credit to him and his teaching and how he structured the program.”
Page echoed Groeling. During her time at Taylor, Blanchard challenged her limits and refined her skills.
While her experience in the journalism program was difficult at times, Page valued Blanchard’s belief that she could take the heat and his encouragement to reach her potential.
“We need people who are hard on us to push us to become our better selves,” Page said. “And I think he's really done that for me, and kind of set my expectations of what a good work ethic looks like. I think that's one of the most valuable things I've learned from Taylor in general, is having a good work ethic, and I attribute that to him.”
Because Blanchard pushed her out of her comfort zone, Page was ready to face the constructive criticism and daily learning opportunities that awaited her in the marketplace.
Page also appreciated Blanchard’s commitment to living out the biblical principles of truth and kindness.
“Honestly, the things I learned from him, I don't think anyone else would have the time to teach me,” Page said. “… he really pushed me to just want to be godly in how I speak truth and treat people as a journalist but also just as a Christian.”
Karlee Johnson, a senior studying multimedia journalism, admired Blanchard’s boldness. When training students to be reporters, he encourages them to be proactive and forward, taking on big projects and seeking out sources for interviews. As a person who is not naturally direct, Johnson grew in confidence under Blanchard’s tutelage, she said.
Working with Blanchard, Johnson has also learned about the importance of getting the facts right, whether they be big or small.
“He has so much experience, and he really values accuracy and the truth in journalism,” Johnson said. “And I think that seeing him be so passionate about that, it's made me value accuracy and value the truth a lot more.”
Caleb Heffron, a senior multimedia journalism major, emphasized the value of Blanchard’s real-world experience in the classroom. By working in almost every possible position in the field, Blanchard knows the industry and has been able to pass this knowledge on to his students.
Blanchard is also intentional about integrating his faith into the art of reporting, Heffron added.
“The Bible fundamentally applies to journalism, and that's something that I don't think I would have learned if not for him,” Heffron said.
Navigating the relationship between journalism and faith can be tricky, Heffron acknowledged, but through class assignments and discussions, Blanchard ensures his students learn how the two areas intertwine.
Marisa Reinhard, a sophomore multimedia journalism major, agreed.
“Any assignments that (Blanchard) gives us, he encourages us or even requires us to integrate a faith aspect into it,” Reinhard said. “So that's always helpful in thinking about school from the perspective of faith.”
During her time in the program, she has benefited from Blanchard’s encouragement and investment, she said.
Through opportunities at The Echo and journalism internships, he has pushed Reinhard to grow outside of her comfort zone.
“Before you get to know him, he seems kind of intimidating, but then you talk to him, and you work with him, and you realize that he cares a lot about his students and the people around him,” Reinhard said. “And it's just really sweet to see that.”
Sadie Maples, a multimedia journalism sophomore, also experienced Blanchard’s intentionality and care.
As she transitioned from high school to college, his wisdom and counsel proved invaluable.
“With Dr. Blanchard, you have a tenacious advocate,” Maples said. “Whether it’s signing up for classes, looking for internships or trying to figure out how to approach a tense situation, I’ve always appreciated his guidance.”
Persistent. Hardworking. Devoted. Godly. Curious. Bold. Encouraging.
The perspectives and memories of his students, coworkers and friends create a picture of a journalist committed to truth, a professor passionate about passing on his beloved craft and a mentor dedicated to propelling a younger generation to greatness.
As Blanchard prepares to leave Taylor and journalism to begin a new chapter, the overwhelming sentiment is clear.
“He will be missed,” Groeling said. “He's got big shoes to fill. Whoever comes in has big shoes to fill.”
