Al Smith Award established to recognize public service through community journalism

The Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues and the Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists have established the Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism in Kentucky, or anywhere by a current or former Kentuckian, with preference given to those outside metropolitan areas.

The award’s first recipient will be its namesake: Albert P. Smith Jr., who owned weekly newspapers in Kentucky and Tennessee, was founding host of Kentucky Educational Television’s “Comment on Kentucky” and main founder of the Institute, whose advisory board he chairs. It is based at the University of Kentucky.

The award will be presented at a dinner in Lexington on June 2. Proceeds will go primarily to the Institute’s endowment at UK and will also benefit the SPJ chapter, which funds scholarships for student journalists in the region. To make an advance reservation, add someone to the invitation list, or be a sponsor, contact Al Cross, director of the Institute, at 859-257-3744 or al.cross@uky.edu; or Janice Birdwhistell, development officer of the College of Communications and Information Studies, at 859-257-4241 or Janice.bird@uky.edu.