Support Fund for Missouri Business News Outlet in Honor of Randall Smith

Family and friends rally to support legacy of retiring Missouri journalism professor

As Randall Smith, the Donald W. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Business Journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism, prepares to retire after fifteen years of dedicated service, his loved ones are coming together to ensure his impactful work continues to thrive.

A fund is being established to support the Missouri News Network’s digital business news outlet, Missouri Business Alert, as well as provide opportunities for students to participate in the School’s New York Program and other enriching experiences.

Dean of the School of Journalism, David Kurpius, expressed the importance of expanding these opportunities in honor of Smith’s contributions to the field. Smith, who brought decades of experience from The Kansas City Star to his role at the School of Journalism, founded Missouri Business Alert in 2012 to cover the state’s business community and provide students with valuable hands-on experiences.

With nearly 600 students benefiting from Smith’s mentorship, many have gone on to achieve success at prestigious media outlets such as The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and CNN, or have launched their own ventures.

The fund will not only sustain the publication Smith established but also ensure that future generations of students have access to the same transformative opportunities that have shaped the careers of so many aspiring journalists.

As Smith’s retirement approaches, the outpouring of support from those who have been touched by his guidance serves as a testament to his enduring impact on the field of business journalism and the lives of those he has mentored.