Charles Devall, Texas newspaper kingpin, has been named one of the 1990-91 College of Communication Outstanding Alumni.

Devall attended John Tarleton State College at Stephenville then worked his way through The University of Texas at Austin where he received a bachelor's degree in journalism. He was linotypist for The Austin American-Statesman and ad salesman for The Daily Texan while at the university.

Devall’s father was editor-publisher of The Mount Vernon Optic-Herald and taught his 12-year-old son to set type after school, on Saturdays and during summer vacations. When his father died Devall left graduate work at The University of Texas at Austin to return to Mount Vernon as publisher.

Devall served in the U.S. Naval Reserve on active duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres of World War II. During his absence his wife, Lyde Williford, published The Kilgore News Herald and the three weeklies. Lyde also did graduate work at The University of Texas at Austin in addition to serving on The University of Texas System Board of Regents, the University of Texas Development Board and the University of Texas Centennial Commission.

Devall himself served on the State Democratic Executive Committee and was a presidential elector. He was also president of the North and East Texas Press Association and the Texas Press Association.