The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and The Red & Black Publishing Company have each received $500,000 from an anonymous donor, a $1 million gift aimed at advancing excellence in journalism education.
The contributions establish the Celestia “Lessie” Bailey Smithgall Experiential Learning Fund, named for the 1933 Grady graduate and alumna of The Red & Black. The gift honors Tom Johnson, a 1963 Grady graduate and former editor of The Red & Black, whose career spanned leadership roles at The Dallas Times Herald, Los Angeles Times, and CNN.
“This generous support will help students for generations in honor of one of our greatest, Tom Johnson,” said Charles N. Davis, dean of Grady College. He noted Smithgall’s pioneering role in media, including her influence in the creation of the Peabody Awards, and Johnson’s continued dedication to the college.
Funds directed to Grady College will support programs such as The Oglethorpe Echo, Grady Newsource, study‑away opportunities, and student equipment needs. The Red & Black, UGA’s nonprofit student‑run news organization, will use its share to sustain its mission and legacy of independent student journalism.
Smithgall, remembered as a champion of local news, co‑founded The Gainesville Daily Times with her husband in 1947. She lived to 110, passing away in 2021. Johnson, meanwhile, built a distinguished career in journalism and public service, publishing his memoir Driven: A Life in Public Service and Journalism from LBJ to CNN in 2025.
The Peabody Awards, one of Smithgall’s enduring legacies, were created after she introduced WSB radio executive Lambdin Kay to Grady dean John Drewry. The awards, first presented in 1941, remain among the most prestigious honors in broadcast and electronic media.
UGA wasn’t the only institution of higher education close to Smithgall’s heart. She became a member of the Brenau University Board of Trustees in 1987 and a trustee emerita of the Gainesville institution in 1990. In addition, the Brenau tennis center is name in honor of Smithgall, an avid tennis player.