Nationally Syndicated Journalist Johnson Speaks at UT

Rheta Grimsley Johnson, an award winning, nationally syndicated journalist and writer of numerous journalism awards, presented on Oct. 29 at the UT University Center.

Johnson has covered the South for over three decades as a newspaper reporter and columnist. In past reporting for The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and a number of other regional newspapers, Johnson has won national awards including the Ernie Pyle Memorial Award for human interest reporting and the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Distinguished Writing Award for commentary.

In 1986 Johnson was inducted into the Scripps Howard Newspaper's Editorial Hall of Fame. In 1991 Johnson was one of three finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. Syndicated today by King Features of New York, Johnson's column appears in about 50 newspapers nationwide. She is the author of several books, including America's Faces (1987) and Good Grief: The Story of Charles M. Schulz (1989). Her latest book, Poor Man's Provence, tells of her love for Cajun Louisiana.

The event was co-sponsored by the Knoxville-based Friends of Literacy, the UT College of Communication and Information, the CCI Diversity Student Leader Society, and the UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media.