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RELEASED: Nov. 6, 2003
DANVILLE, KY—Acclaimed Kentucky journalist Al Smith will give this year's Centre College Distinguished Press Lecture. Speaking on "Presswork in Kentucky:
Pistols, Preachers and Politicians," Smith's free lecture will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Weisiger Theatre on campus.
The event is free and open to the public.
An engaging media personality known throughout Kentucky, Smith is the host/producer of the television show Comment on Kentucky, now in its 30th year and Kentucky Educational Television's longest-running show. On the program, Smith and his guests provide insight into the inner workings of Kentucky's political, educational, agricultural and business affairs.
Tom McKune, assistant to the dean of the college and director of advising at Centre, comments, "Al Smith and Comment on Kentucky have been a part of my weekly education since I became a Kentuckian two decades ago. His wise council and long-term political perspective on issues are a must for anyone who cares about the future of the Commonwealth."
After growing up in Florida and Tennessee, Smith spent his first 10 years in journalism at daily papers in New Orleans. He came to Kentucky in 1958 to edit the Russellville News-Democrat. The paper became part of a chain of weekly newspapers Smith organized and headed until 1985. In Washington during the Carter and Reagan administrations, Smith chaired the Appalachian Regional Commission. He's been chairman or a leader in several statewide civic and educational groups including the Kentucky Press Association, the Shakertown Roundtable, Governor's Scholars, the Council on Higher Education, the State Arts and Oral History Commissions, the Prichard Committee for Educational Excellence and Leadership Kentucky.
He received the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award from the Kentucky Association of Rural Electric Co-ops and the Vic Hellard Award for public service from the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center. The Kentucky Arts Council's annual Al Smith Arts Fellowships honor his support of community arts programs.
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Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422
Public Information Coordinator: Telephone 859-238-5714