"Donna's experience and contagious fun-loving personality are going to be greatly missed in our newsroom," said Harry Delaney, Vice President & General Manager of WHIO-TV. "But we are happy that she will now be able to devote all of her energy to a cause that she is so passionate about."
"I've known Donna a long time. She's the consummate professional and a good colleague and friend. I know that what she is about to undertake is a life-long dream. We will miss her on television but she will be doing great work helping women," added Julie Weindel, News Director of Newscenter 7.
Donna Jordan is retiring from television to become the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Director of the Launch Foundation, a charity created to help battered and abused women, and women who are about to be released from prison. The Launch Foundation will offer a series of free workshops to women at battered women's shelters, support groups and prisons.
"My personal passion has always included helping disadvantaged women and now, after years of research and doing the proper ground work, the time is perfect for me to leave WHIO-TV to turn my advocation into my vocation…my new life's work," remarked Jordan.
Cheryl McHenry, current 5pm and 6pm news co-anchor with Jim Baldridge, will add the 5:30pm newscast to her duties, making the Baldridge/McHenry team the anchors of NewsCenter 7 at 5pm, 5:30pm and 6pm. Cheryl has been a news anchor with Newscenter 7 for the past 15 years and just recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with WHIO-TV.
Letitia Perry will become co-anchor of the 11pm newscast with Jim Baldridge. Letitia came to Newscenter 7 in 2001, and has filled in as anchor on many newscasts including the 11pm.
"We are delighted to have Letitia Perry assume the anchor duties at 11PM and join the best group of morning and evenings anchors in the Dayton region," said Harry Delaney.
Both Cheryl and Letitia will take on their new responsibilities the first of the year.
WHIO-TV Channel 7 is a Cox Television Station and CBS Affiliate. Cox Television includes 15 television stations, 3 national television sales representation firms, a television production company, and a Washington D.C. news bureau. Cox Television is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., based in Atlanta.