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Dillon Smith

Dillon Smith (BSJ63, MSJ64) was a member of the inaugural class of the Medill Hall of Achievement in 1997.

Smith was an award-winning broadcaster and journalist whose career included 15 years with WMAQ-TV/NBC in Chicago. He established Dillon Smith Communications in 1984. His company developed and produced television programming, including "Dreesen Street," an entertainment special syndicated by Multimedia Entertainment.

During his years as program director of WMAQ-TV, Smith was responsible for the development of "On Stage on 5," the station's highly acclaimed series of theatrical productions, and the "You" magazine program that won Emmy Awards three consecutive years. WMAQ-TV's program department won more Chicago Emmy Awards than any other station when Smith served as program director. From 1972 to 1980, Smith was editorial director of WMAQ-TV. In that position, he also produced documentaries for the station, one of which won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award in 1976.

Smith was a member of the Board of Governors of the Chicago Television Academy for 25 years. For eight years, he chaired the committee that selected inductees into the academy's Silver Circle.

Smith also received a law degree from Northwestern in 1967.

Smith died in 2013.