Business Leader
1936
William C. Marcil is a visionary state and national leader who has defined his career and business success with a steadfast commitment to respect, integrity and responsibility. Getting his start as a young retail advertising salesman, Marcil quickly became a prominent leader in the state's newspaper industry as publisher of The Forum, and later, as president and chief executive officer of Forum Communications Company, a multi-media company based in Fargo.
A native of Rolette, Marcil graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1958, and then served in the U.S. Army and Reserves. In 1960, he married Jane Black, daughter of Norman D. Black, Jr., who was publisher of The Forum at the time. He began his newspaper career at The Forum in 1961 in retail advertising, and over the next eight years, worked his way up through the company, eventually becoming its president and publisher in 1969. Marcil placed a strong emphasis on public trust and consistently demonstrated a deep passion for publishing the best possible newspaper for the consumer.
Under Marcil's leadership, Forum Communications Company has retained its identity as an independent, family-owned publishing business, with deep roots in its community, while growing and diversifying into a multi-state, multi-media company. Forum Communications now includes more than 30 daily and community newspapers, as well as broadcasting, interactive media and commercial printing in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Throughout his career, Marcil has had an impact on a national level, as well. He was the first North Dakotan to be elected chair of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, now known as the Newspaper Association of America. He has also been a strong advocate for business growth in general, and served as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In North Dakota, Marcil has been committed to building a strong future for the state and instrumental in helping to advance the state's economic development efforts. He chaired the Greater North Dakota Association, and was involved in forming the North Dakota Vision 2000 Committee, which he also chaired. In 1990, he received the Greater North Dakotan Award from the Greater North Dakota Association for his outstanding business leadership, and was presented the North Dakota National Leadership Award of Excellence by the State of North Dakota in 1992. Marcil received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of North Dakota in 1990 and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from North Dakota State University in 1993. The University of Mary presented him with the Schafer Excellence in Enterprise Award in 2003, and in 2005, was inducted into the North Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame by the North Dakota Newspaper Association.
Marcil has had a significant impact on North Dakota and has achieved national recognition in his professional and personal endeavors, reflecting credit and honor upon the citizens of this great state.
Presented: May 18, 2006
Portrait Painted By: Vern Skaug