WATERLOO - The barbarian is leaving the cathedral.

Saul Shapiro is hardly a vicious, uncaring warrior and the Courier building in downtown Waterloo isn't a church, but the aforementioned phrase is appropriate in describing the Courier's longtime editor.

It's not only a play on words of Shapiro's favorite newspaper lede - "The barbarian has entered the cathedral," which a journalist once used to describe cantankerous tennis star John McEnroe stepping onto center court at Wimbledon - but a way to describe his announcement Monday that he's leaving journalism after 34 years in the business.

Shapiro recently agreed to become assistant vice president for advancement and chief communications officer at Wartburg College in Waverly. He'll remain at The Courier until at least the end of May, though an exact departure date hasn't been set. The search to find Shapiro's replacement will begin immediately, Courier publisher Nancy Green said.

After nearly 24 years at the helm of The Courier's news department, Shapiro said it was time to seek a new challenge. He said Wartburg is the perfect place to do just that.

"It's a good opportunity and a great way to finish my professional career," said Shapiro, 56. "I admire the institution and the people. It's very nice to go into a new job and know it's a good fit from the start."

Widely known in the newspaper business for his commitment to journalism, skillful editorial writing - for which he has won numerous awards - and ability to turn young journalists into skillful writers, Shapiro will be missed by colleagues.

"This is a sad day," said managing editor Nancy Raffensperger Newhoff. "We're losing an editor with incredible writing skills, a fine feel for the community around him and a great sense of humor. Many people don't know, but Saul often writes many of the caustic Call the Courier answers that readers enjoy," Newhoff said. "I will always be grateful to him for the way he let me grow as an editor, and the kind way he always treated his staff."

Under Shapiro's guidance, the paper won numerous writing and layout honors, including nine awards in February during the Iowa Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper Contest. The paper also earned six awards at the Iowa Associated Press Managing Editors contest luncheon earlier this year, during which he was elected president of the organization by his peers.

Nationally, The Courier has been recognized as well. In 1998 the paper earned the National Newspaper Association's Best of States award, its most prestigious honor. The Courier competed against newspapers with circulations above 25,000 that won their state's general excellence award.

Though 1998 was the pinnacle for Courier accolades, Shapiro is most proud of the daily coverage staff members provide. The Courier routinely wins awards for coverage of local government, agriculture and business, among other categories.

"It's not just one story, but the body of work. That's what I'm proud of," Shapiro said.

Shapiro not only believes the newspaper is the traditional watchdog of the government, but a part of the community. Almost a decade ago, Black Hawk County voters passed a 1-cent local option sales tax to build and renovate schools. He said the paper was instrumental in passing it. After numerous editorials and stories documenting the state of local school buildings, the public decided to fund the improvements. Shapiro said it was not only a vote for students but for the overall economic well-being of the area.

"That was one of the catalysts for the community," he said.

Green said Shapiro's leadership and commitment to keeping the Cedar Valley informed will be hard to replace. However, with The Courier's award-winning reputation, she's confident a number of qualified candidates will apply for the editor position.

While sad to see Shapiro go, Green is happy for him. Previously working in the field of higher education herself, Green knows how fulfilling it can be.

"To work in a brand-new job is a wonderful opportunity. I think he will do a wonderful job in the position," Green said.

Journalism is Shapiro's first love. He fondly recalls covering Bill Walton and the rest of the UCLA basketball team while attending the California university in the 1970s. Shapiro started his journalism career in 1973 at the Oceanside Blade Tribune (now the North County Times) in northern San Diego, first working as a reporter and ending his four-year stint as editorial page editor. He then become editor of the Freeport Journal Standard in Illinois for six years. In 1983, he assumed the same position at the Courier.

"While Saul loved to talk about college days in California, he has become an Iowan to the core. He deeply cares about the issues in this community and state and guided coverage to reflect that, " Newhoff said.

Shapiro said all good things eventually come to an end. He'll miss the people, the excitement of breaking news and keeping people informed.

However, he won't miss writing editorials day after day and handling complaints from the public.

"I don't want to spend my last 10 years (working) arguing about letters to the editor or what adjective was used in a story. After 30 years, I deserve a break from that," Shapiro said.

When the Wartburg position became available, he felt it was the perfect time for a career change. Shapiro is already familiar with the private school, serving on the President's Advisory Council and the Communication Arts National Advisory Board.

Besides leading the communications department, Shapiro also will teach a class, most likely in media management. The last few years at the Courier, Shapiro said administrative duties have not allowed him to mentor and teach the staff as much as he would like, so the opportunity to teach at Wartburg was appealing.

"It's just something I really want to do," Shapiro said.

Wartburg President Jack Ohle is ecstatic Shapiro feels this way.

"Saul Shapiro brings to Wartburg College an unparalleled reputation for integrity, quality and professionalism," Ohle said in a prepared statement. "He is known throughout the Cedar Valley and in Northeast Iowa for his exemplary work at The Courier, and I am confident his skills as a team builder and communications professional will serve Wartburg well."

Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.