Television journalist Terry McFadden retired from WNDU News after over 30 years. McFadden is a skillful news anchor who has a deep passion for what he does. 

McFadden did not always want to be a journalist. Growing up, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a lawyer. While in college, a job at WNDU as a camera operator was recommended by a classmate who did the hiring at the station while he was in college. This new position took him on a new path he would later develop into his career. McFadden was then hooked. After he realized that journalism was what he wanted to pursue, he enrolled for a master's degree in communications at Notre Dame. 

“I got around it all and was bitten by the ‘bug' as they say,” McFadden said.  

A person with an exceptional talent like this would usually move to a bigger city for more lucrative opportunities and notoriety but not McFadden. Working with his sister Maureen was a main factor of staying as well as his love for his hometown.

“Well, it's home,” McFadden said. “Maureen and I both started working in TV here and… to be able to work in news in your hometown is kind of a special thing. Both of us had opportunities to leave for bigger money and a bigger market and all that, but there are some things money can't buy. Being home with family is so important. It's a great community.”

In a time when journalists’ motives are questioned and “fake news” is tossed around, McFadden holds to the journalistic ideals of objectivity and truth. A journalist's job is to inform only the facts without spreading false information so people can make decisions deeply rooted in facts, and McFadden has done just that. 

“My job is to try to tell the story as straight as possible, the facts with the perspective that helps explain the story, but without giving a bias, and that's hard sometimes but you have to stay focused. You have to,” McFadden said.  

McFadden has covered a variety of stories, but one stuck with him. One of the hardest stories he's done in recent years was when he covered the sudden loss of his dear friend U.S. Representitive Jackie Walorksi. 

“Jackie Walorski and I worked together at WSBT for a couple of years. We were pretty good friends. She was a politician, and I was in the media, so you know, there's kind of a tension, but whenever we saw each other, that friendship just came through,” McFadden said.

McFadden was saddened to hear of Walorski’s passing, but he had to fulfill his job and provide the facts to the people.  

“I immediately came into work. They put Lauren and me on the set, and we had to confirm that it was her. We stayed on the air from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and that was challenging because I had to tell the story without letting the emotion of losing a friend affect how I was doing my job. I’ve been doing this for close to 40 years, and that was the story that when people ask me, that was a tough one. That was just a tough, tough day,” McFadden said.

McFadden is a professional even when he's under pressure. Proficiency and objectivity for WNDU and McFadden are what make the news station so reliable for the loving community of Michiana. For over 30 years McFadden has given up his free weekends, holidays, and personal time to tell the stories that matter, which is selfless of him to do, but he knows it comes with the sacred responsibility of the profession.  

“Don’t get too high of expectations in terms of lifestyle and money, because it's a hard life. I worked for 10 years on weekends. You work holidays, you work nights and you’re going to run into situations where people are going to perhaps treat you badly, and you’re just doing your job. I’ve had athletes scream in my face. I’ve had politicians yell at me. You have to grow a thick skin if you want to do this,” McFadden said. 

McFadden understood the balance of timeliness and taking care of the stories that he had the honor of hearing and telling, making him a trusted source of news for decades.  

“You have to be able to work under pressure because there is a deadline every day," McFadden said. “You have to be compassionate when people are telling their story and it is one of pain and anguish, understanding what they are going through helps you craft how you write that story, how you produce that story.”

McFadden is married to Laurie McFadden and is a family man. Having the right support system has allowed him to thrive in his career over the years. His wife has especially been a source of strength.

“My wife has left an indelible impact on my life. She just had an understanding of things in terms of things of use in video and writing. I was also a bit of a hot head back then when I was in my late 20s, and I was known to throw a tantrum here, and there she basically one day said 'You’ve got so much ability, so much to offer, but when you fly off the handle people won't listen to you.' She was the one who really saw the potential there, and she got me focused,” McFadden said.   

McFadden is ready to retire and spend much more time with family. He has a grandson on the way, as well as a house and an old car to take care of.  

“I have a grandson on the way due to being born about 9 days after I retire, so I am looking forward to meeting my grandson and spending time with him. I'm looking forward to fixing up my ‘66 Mustang Fastback and my old pontoon boat. There are a lot of things I want to do. Believe it or not, I don’t want to write the next great novel. I don't want to teach classes. I'm going to take some time off just to decompress,” McFadden said. 

McFadden kept a retirement countdown on his social media accounts highlighting and sharing some memories. The community has shared much love and many gifts to McFadden. WNDU aired many segments honoring McFadden and his service.  

I am one of those people who was impacted by the life and career of Mr. McFadden. When I heard of his retirement, I reached out to wish him well and share my experiences watching him for my entire life at my grandparents’ house. McFadden invited me to WNDU studios for a tour during my interview with him, and I saw the inner workings of the news I have watched for so many years. 

In my 11 years at La Porte schools, I have never had an experience incredibly eye-opening. McFadden has been an inspiration to me while finding my voice in journalism. No words can amount to how much that day meant to me. I hope to one day make as much of a mark on journalism and on people as McFadden has. 

Mr McFadden, you told me you are proud to know me, but I am the lucky one. Thank you.