NAJP Founder/Advisor Jerry Horton Dies

John English sends along the sad news:

Gerald T. "Jerry" Horton, the founder of the National Arts Journalism Program, died Oct. 29th in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was living in retirement. An Atlanta native and Harvard graduate ('56), Horton had a diverse career including serving 11 years in the Georgia legislature, chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations in New York and a consultant with the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Asia Society and AT&T On Stage.

Working with the Pew Charitable Trusts in Philadelphia, in 1992 he created the National Arts Journalism Program at four universities: Columbia, Northwestern, University of Southern California and The University of Georgia. He was also a business college professor at UGA and later at the University of Florida, teaching non-profit management and executive training courses.

"Horton had prodigious energy, great ideas for big projects and the fund-raising skills to make them happen," observed UGA professor emeritus John W. English, who worked with Horton on the NAJP. "His expertise in corporate philanthropy certainly made a difference for regional theatre."

Horton's passions were the arts, especially theatre, reading and fishing. His American folk art collection is currently touring museums in North Florida. Horton is survived by his wife, Kathryn Birmingham, and three adult children from a previous marriage.