The Star Tribune Media Company has announced that its long-time editorial page editor, Scott Gillespie, is retiring. Following a storied, 32-year career at the Star Tribune, Gillespie’s last day will be Monday, June 3.
“It’s been a privilege to work with so many talented and dedicated colleagues at the Star Tribune. Our journalism has made a difference in Minnesota, and none of it would have been possible without the support of loyal readers,” Gillespie said. “I’m feeling nothing but gratitude for the opportunity to spend a career doing the work I love.”
Gillespie has served as the Star Tribune’s editorial page editor since 2007. He was the lead editor on two projects that were honored as Pulitzer Prize finalists for editorial writing: "Separate and Unequal," a 2015 series of editorials on underfunded Bureau of Indian Education schools, and “Not this mine. Not this location,” a 2019 special report on proposed mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He also oversaw editorial cartoonist Steve Sack's Pulitzer Prize-winning collection in 2013.
Before joining Editorial, Gillespie was managing editor at the Star Tribune, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the newsroom. During his five-year tenure in that role, the news staff produced awarding-winning coverage on the death of Paul Wellstone, the war in Iraq and the collapse of the I-35W Bridge. Before being named managing editor, Gillespie served as the paper's assistant managing editor for local news and assistant managing editor for business news.
“We’re tremendously grateful to Scott and his enormous contributions to the Star Tribune and to journalism over his 32 years here,” said Steve Grove, publisher and CEO of the Star Tribune. “I’ve learned so much from him in my first year at the Star Tribune, and we all wish him the best as he pursues his next chapter.”
Gillespie has more than 40 years of news reporting and editing experience at newspapers in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He served as a Pulitzer Prize juror in 2004, 2005, 2011 and 2012. Gillespie has a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been an adjunct faculty member in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota.
In his retirement, Gillespie plans to spend time giving back to his community and journalism, writing, editing and exploring teaching opportunities while also enjoying time at his family’s cabin in Wisconsin.
The Star Tribune has begun the search to hire Gillespie’s replacement. Interested candidates should apply here.
About Star Tribune Media Company:
Building on an extraordinary 157-year legacy that includes seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Star Tribune Media Company is the Midwest’s largest news organization and is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota. The Star Tribune has a vision to create the leading model for local news in America — driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.
