Welcome to Arkansas State University!

News Article

Reed To Speak At Dr. Joel Gambill Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series

03/07/2018

JONESBORO – Jeff Reed, editor of AStateNation.com of 247Sports, returns to Arkansas State University Monday and Tuesday, March 12-13, as the guest speaker for the spring 2018 Dr. Joel Gambill Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series in the Department of Media. He will speak to students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members during his visit.

AStateNation.com is a website devoted to sports at Arkansas State. 

"It is such an honor to be a part of the Dr. Joel Gambill lecture series," stated Reed. "Dr. Gambill is an institution at A-State and has had a major impact on journalism in Arkansas, the Mid-South and the nation."

Reed, a 1982 graduate of Arkansas State with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and a minor in geography, began his extensive resumé at A-State after working for the Crossett High School News Observer. While in college he worked at the Jonesboro Sun and in the university's sports information office from 1977-81.

Following graduation, he worked at the Arkansas Democrat, Benton Courier, Arkansas Gazette, Log Cabin Democrat in Conway and Stephens Media. He has also served as sports editor for four weekly newspapers in northern Pulaski County.

He spent a year working in the public relations field at Cranford, Johnson, Robinson, and Woods in Little Rock. CJRW is a company with a long history in marketing, advertising and public relations.

In addition to his writing skills, Reed also worked as a news producer for KARN News Radio in Little Rock as well as the Arkansas Radio Network sports director, co-hosting "Sports Night" talk show.

Reed frequently provides freelance contributions to publications including Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times, Miami Herald, Baton Rouge Advocate, Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, Shreveport (La.) Times, The State (Columbia, S.C.), and the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal.

About the Dr. Joel Gambill Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series

The endowed Dr. Joel Gambill Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series is named after the 1965 A-State graduate who wanted to bring the media world to A-State students. Gambill was the first instructor hired in journalism. He spent four decades building the department into a nationally respected and recognized powerhouse. He served as department chair for 36 years.

As a reward to his dedication to education and journalism, Gambill received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Arkansas Press Association’s Outstanding Educator Award and the Distinguished Service Awards. 

Jeff Reed
Jeff Reed