Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Jack Guthrie '58
Jack spent more than 40 successful years as a public relations consultant and is now retired. Jack has been involved with Trinity in many ways over the years and currently sponsors an annual journalism scholarship for the editor of The Echo student newspaper.
Thinking back to the spring of 1954, I was most likely headed to Second and Broadway to St. Xavier High School. My father was a St. X graduate, and since I was the only boy in our family, he had always planned that I would follow in his footsteps.
However, Louisville was growing, and Archbishop John A. Floersh recognized the need for a boy’s high school in the St. Matthews area and Holy Trinity High School was born in the fall of 1953. At this time, I was a student at Holy Spirit Catholic School and would soon have to decide where I would attend high school. At that time, 71 years ago this month, a decision of that importance was usually made by a student’s parents. Always believing in the importance of a solid Catholic education, my parents decided that Trinity was the best place for me.
Thinking back, that decision was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Through good times and bad, my Trinity education has served me well in many ways.
When I arrived on campus in 1954, Trinity was a much different place than students enjoy today. However, the core principles of building young men of outstanding integrity, strong character with a solid foundation in their faith is as valid in 2025 as it was in the early 1950s.
During my sophomore year I joined the staff of the student newspaper, The Echo. Father John Grenough H’11, who came to Trinity right out of the seminary, took over as faculty moderator. At the time, he incorporated the newspaper and the yearbook into his English class. It was something I was part of for the next three years, serving as sports editor my senior year. During this period, I also developed my writing skills by working for The Voice of St. Matthews, a community newspaper. I was paid 75 cents an hour and 10 cents a column inch for writing about Trinity sports and other articles. While it was good experience, it was certainly no way to get rich.
Built on a rock
Following my graduation from Trinity, I joined many of my classmates and attended Bellarmine College (now University). I took my love for newspapers with me and joined the staff of the Bellarmine Concord. While at Bellarmine, I helped found Trinity’s Alumni Association and, along with several former Echo staff members, we published two summer editions of the Trinity Alumni News, which may be considered a predecessor to today’s Trinity Leader magazine.
During my sophomore year, an English professor at Bellarmine suggested that I explore the idea of attending journalism school, and thus I began to consider transferring to the School of Journalism at the University of Kentucky. I was soon on my way to UK and journalism school. In my senior year I was selected editor of the Kentucky Kernel. I became the first Trinity graduate to become editor of a major university newspaper. My journalism success at UK can easily be traced back to Father Grenough and Trinity’s Echo.
During my college years at Bellarmine and UK, I kept my involvement with Trinity through the Alumni Association and my longtime friendship with Father Grenough and Father Dave Hazelip, Trinity’s second principal. Like many Trinity graduates, I returned to campus often to visit with members of the faculty and staff. It felt like "returning home again.” Home to the place where I truly grew up.
During my senior year at UK, with graduation quickly approaching, I began to look for a job in journalism and/or public relations. After several months of interviewing, I accepted an offer from Philip Morris Inc. in New York City.
Following my discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard, where I had served onboard the U.S.S. Mackinaw, an icebreaker in the Great Lakes, I headed for New York to begin the first stop in my career. Working through several PR positions in New York, Louisville and back to New York with Philip Morris, my wife, Becky, and I decided we enjoyed our time in “Fun City,” but it was no place to raise a family. We decided to explore job opportunities back in Kentucky.
The path to greatness
Within the next 12 months, two opportunities presented themselves. One as director of public relations at the University of Kentucky, a position offered to me by then-UK President Otis Singletary. About the same time, I was approached by the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Derby Festival to “come home” and take over the responsibility of rebuilding the festival.
Since my long-range business goal was to open my own public relations firm someday in Louisville, I decided to accept the opportunity to become president and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Thus, in October of 1971, I began another significant chapter in my career.
Coming home also allowed me to reconnect with Trinity where I served on several committees, including working with John Grenough who had become director of advancement. John had created a unique fundraising campaign centered around the theme of “Buy a Piece of the Rock.” I suggested to him that the campaign needed a strong symbol for students, parents and the entire Trinity community to rally around.
I proposed the idea of placing a large “ROCK” (boulder) on Shelbyville Road near the Steinhauser Gym entrance for everyone to see. I contacted my friend Bob Liter ’59 whose family owned a commercial rock quarry and told him about the idea. He said he would be glad to help, and soon thereafter the idea became a reality and today that same “Piece of the Rock” is still there greeting Trinity students every day as they arrive at school.
Along with taking on the challenge of rebuilding the Derby Festival, I also created the City of Louisville’s involvement in the State of Kentucky’s 200th Bicentennial Celebration and created a series of 13 “Heritage Weekends” held on the Belvedere. I also helped to reestablish the City’s renewed interest in the redevelopment of Main Street, and that continues today.
Mission accomplished, I notified the Festival’s Executive Committee of my plan to leave the festival and establish my own public relations firm.
On June 30, 1977, I officially left the Derby Festival office at 621 West Main Street, walked about one block down to 710 West Main and opened Jack Guthrie & Associates, which later became Guthrie/Mayes Public Relations. Over the next 28 years, the firm became one of the largest PR firms in the southeastern United States.
Thankful for Trinity
Along with being very involved with many organizations throughout the state of Kentucky, I maintained strong ties with both Trinity and UK. I was named Trinity’s Honor Alumnus in 1981 and inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1995. Working closely with Trinity President Dr. Rob Mullen ’77, I enjoyed providing public relations and media advice to the school over the years.
I retired in 2005, and I can honestly say that those early lessons learned at Trinity of being a man of integrity with good character combined with a strong faith in God have served me well all these years.
I’m also very thankful my parents did not send me to Second and Broadway.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
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