Tom Farragher ’77 caught the reporting bug in his earliest days as a journalism major and reporter for The Good 5 Cent Cigar. From the beginning, he treated every assignment as though it was destined for The New York Times. And that big thinking about professionalism has led him to the pinnacle of journalism, first as a member of The Boston Globe team that won a Pulitzer Prize for its investigation of the sex abuse scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston and now as editor of the paper’s award-winning Spotlight Team investigative unit.

Farragher’s years at URI and The Cigar were the kindling that ignited his career.

“The Cigar played an enormous role in my enthusiasm and development. The first byline I ever saw was in the Cigar. It’s a kick, and it gives you energy. I learned at The Cigar that journalism could be fun,” he said.

“I also credit Journalism Professor Jack Thompson, a mischievous little elf of a guy, who taught us that journalism was a noble calling, that journalists could be the eyes and ears of the public,” said Farragher, who shares numerous other national awards with his Spotlight Team.

Despite incessant chatter about the demise of journalism, Farragher said don’t write the profession off.

“The Globe is more vital than ever. We reach more people in more ways than we ever have,” adding that the paper uses compelling video and photos, strong graphic design, Twitter, and Facebook to tell stories more completely. But all of the bells and whistles don’t matter if you can’t craft a story with punch or if you don’t know the foundations of journalism, such as fairness and accuracy.”