Providing for the Next Generation of Journalists

Retired professional communicator Kathleen (Kathi) Clough Miller ’67 earned her news/editorial journalism degree from TCU in turbulent times not unlike the ones we’re experiencing today. Civil unrest and protests were ongoing and the role of women and the face of media were rapidly changing.

The Plainview, Texas, native believes societal changes like these make the role of journalists even more important, so she put that belief into action, committing to help TCU educate future journalists through scholarship support provided through her estate plan.

“We’re dependent on honest investigative reporting to have access to the truth and make well-informed decisions,” Kathi says. “I can leave life someday knowing that some people will benefit from what I leave, and in turn our society will benefit from what they will contribute.”

Her TCU experience launched her on her lifelong career. Thanks to journalism professor Lewis Fay, she became editor of the TCU Daily Skiff and a summer intern at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 1966. She stayed at the newspaper for 11 years.

“In 1964, the federal Civil Rights Act was enacted, opening up future career opportunities for minorities and women,” she explains. “I became one of the first of many new women reporters being hired, staying to work full time my senior year and beyond. I covered general news, education and medical issues, and became a political reporter, and finally, assistant city editor.”

From there, she moved to corporate communications and government relations for Texas Utilities until retiring in 2004. She continued her career as a communications consultant in Austin until 2013.

“I think we’re at a time when accurate, professional journalism is essential to our democracy,” Kathi concludes. “I especially want to help TCU educate future journalists.”

To learn how you, like Kathi, can make an impact on TCU students, contact TCU Gift Planning at (817) 257-7299 or giftplanning@tcu.edu.