Jordan Massee Lecture on Southern History and Culture

Tom Johnson was singled out by Peyton Anderson who encouraged the young man to study journalism at UGA. Tom would join LBJ’s White House staff then follow the former president to Texas. After becoming publisher of the Dallas Times Herald, Tom would become publisher of the Los Angeles Times before being summoned back to Atlanta by Ted Turner who made him president of CNN. Johnson presided over the meteoric rise of CNN before turning his talents to many non-profit organizations and his efforts to make mental health an important component of any healthcare discussion.