Emmy-Nominated NBC Journalist Retires, Returns to Iowa to Teach

There is just something about your alma mater for a lot of people. You never stop loving the sports teams, the theater department, and the campus... so many people who do well after their college years give back either financially, or in rare cases, by returning to teach the next generation.

Harry Smith is coming back to Iowa

Harry Smith, widely regarded as one of the best storytellers in journalism, is returning to teach at his alma mater, Central College. Smith put a pin in a long, very successful career on Thursday, March 28. He revealed his plans on Today, explaining he'll be back at Central College in Pella, where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He will return this fall to teach a course on curiosity.

The school confirmed this on X, stating that they were "absolutely ecstatic" to have one of their most famous grads return to teach.

Harry Smith: a broadcast mainstay

Smith was born in Illinois but moved to Pella, Iowa for college. While at Central College, Smith studied communications and theater. After graduating in 1973, Smith became an anchor on CBS' “The Early Show”. He was nominated for an Emmy in 2001.

While Smith's return to Iowa is very exciting, especially for his future students, he's certainly not the only well-known TV or film personality to come to the Hawkeye State. Ashton Kutcher and Jason Mamoa have both been back numerous times.

If only we could get Jason Mamoa to teach fitness, or Ashton Kutcher to teach comedic timing at an Iowa school or college. That would be fantastic!

Speaking of Iowa celebs, how many of these talented people did you know are Iowa natives?