Deborah Norville honored with DiGamma Kappa’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

University of Georgia alumna Deborah Norville (ABJ ’79) was given the 2026 DiGamma Kappa Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting and Cable on Jan. 30, 2026.

The national student broadcast society, DiGamma Kappa, was founded at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The award was presented at the Peyton Anderson Forum in Grady College. Attendees of the event included the college’s students and faculty.

“I am honored to receive this recognition by DiGamma Kappa. I am thrilled to finally be back on your stomping ground,” Norville said during her acceptance speech.

Deborah Norville believed she would become a lawyer, but was inspired by the behind-the-scenes television production of the America’s Junior Miss pageant while she was a contestant. It was her sorority sisters at the University of Georgia who were involved with Grady College that helped guide her path to journalism.

Norville recently completed almost 30 years of hosting “Inside Edition.”

“So my advice is, don’t stop learning,” Norville said. “Don’t be scared. Just do it. The Nike guy was right. The only thing you’ll ever probably regret is the stuff you didn’t do.”

During the event, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters presented Cade Johnson as the WSB Radio Award honoree and Demi Gilstrap as the TV Innovator Award honoree.

Ashtin Barker, Gabby Kutsup and Rachel Sandstrom were highlighted as the Deborah Norville Policy Journalism Scholarship recipients for their reporting on an issue of public interest.

Norville addressed the students during her speech: “Thank you for caring enough about the public’s right to know that you were taking your own time and your own initiative, and you are exploring an issue that matters to a lot more than just you. That’s what being a good journalist is.”

Norville spoke on a panel alongside current DiGamma Kappa student members. She shared stories about reporting in dangerous situations, the impact of her reporting on communities and some of the struggles she has overcome during her career. Norville commended the students currently entering the journalism field.

 “I hope the message that you all take from this is you are at the best place you could possibly be to prepare yourself for a life that you cannot possibly imagine, and I can’t think of anything more uplifting and inspiring than that,” Norville said in her closing statement.

The Distinguished Achievement in Broadcasting and Cable Award is presented by DiGamma Kappa and is co-sponsored by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters and Grady College. The society provides members with networking opportunities, activities, and social functions within the broadcast industry.

Author: Joelle Erwin, joelle.erwin@uga.edu