JEM student attends 2023 White House Correspondents’ Dinner
School of Journalism and Electronic Media student Abby Ann Ramsey (left) with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Abby Ann Ramsey knew she wanted to major in journalism since middle school.
The School of Journalism and Electronic Media senior is fascinated with storytelling and enjoys writing stories focusing on the human connection.
So, when she learned professors nominated her to represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville at the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, she felt honored they had enough faith to recommend her for such an opportunity.
“I am so beyond grateful that I was given the incredible opportunity to travel to D.C. for the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Dinner through the Carter Holland Memorial scholarship,” Ramsey said. “I got to meet so many amazing people including White House reporters I admire, talented student journalists from other universities, and even President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. It was a pleasure not only to meet accomplished journalists but also get to participate in an event that recognizes the importance of a free press in the United States.”
School of Journalism and Electronic Media student Abby Ann Ramsey (second row, center) with the other scholars meeting Senator Amy Klobuchar at a luncheon.
UT alumnus, longtime White House correspondent for Reuters and former White House Correspondents’ Association president Steve Holland and wife, Lucie Holland, established the Carter Holland Memorial Scholarship in honor of their late son Carter Holland. Carter Holland, a promising young journalist, died in 2020.
The annual scholarship allows the recipient the opportunity to attend the WHCA scholarship luncheon and annual dinner the following night.
Ramsey said the experience was surreal, adding she had the opportunity to meet so many prestigious journalists and celebrities.
Despite their national status, Ramsey said the journalists emphasized the importance of local journalism. She said they stressed that being a national news reporter is not the only path to contribute something of value through one’s reporting.
“One thing they made abundantly clear throughout the entire weekend is that no matter where you are, no matter who you’re writing for, all the stories you’re telling are extremely important,” Ramsey said.
Abby Ann at 2023 WHCA 3: School of Journalism and Electronic Media student Abby Ann Ramsey (second row, left) on the Red Carpet before the dinner with the other scholars.
Ramsey said that message is incredibly important to her, especially as she prepares to helm UT’s student newspaper, The Daily Beacon, this fall. After serving as the newspaper’s managing editor for the past year, Ramsey was selected to be the next editor-in-chief.
She is excited to continue the vision started this past year when she worked alongside former editor-in-chief Daniel Dassow. She hopes to make The Daily Beacon more prominent on campus and better serve students alongside her awesome editorial staff. She will be leading the Beacon along managing editor Bella Hughes.
“The opportunity to be editor-in-chief honestly feels like a dream come true,” Ramsey said. “I love everything that the Beacon does and stands for.”