Lowell C. Pratt (1894-1979) was born in Pomona, California, where he became a "cub" reporter in 1913 and later attended Pomona College. He served in World War I and in 1920 he graduated from the School of Journalism at Columbia University. Pratt began his career in Springfield, Massachusetts, but returned to Pomona, California where he accepted the position as city editor of the Pomona Progress and between 1923-1926 he worked for the Pasadena Star News. In 1926 Pratt bought the Selma Enterprise, which he and his partner sold in 1947. While living in Selma, Pratt was a active member of the community, serving as a president of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and the Community Club. He and his wife, Dorothy Louise Pratt, were members in the First Methodist Church. He joined San Jose State College in 1947 where he served as a Director of Public Relations and as an Assistant Professor of Journalism. Pratt later served as the Publications Manager and as faculty advisor to the Theta Xi. In 1965, after 18 years of service, he retired at the age of 70.