Featured Alumni • School of Journalism & Media

Alumnus Doug Alder and his partner Eric Middleton check out the WUTK studios.

Alumni Excellence

At the School of Journalism and Media, we don’t stop celebrating the excellence of our alumni once they graduate. We continue to applaud your ongoing successes and achievements!

Tell us about your latest success

Alumni Spotlights

Our graduates have been employed by some of the most prominent media outlets, from CNN to ESPN and the Discovery Channel, The Wall Street Journal to Sports Illustrated and The Tennessean. The legacy of the School of Journalism and Media continues as our alumni carry the torch of success around the globe. Here’s just a few examples of what JEM alumni are doing today.

Director of Communications

Lindsey McBee (’19), UT’s College of Architecture and Design

“To be able to get involved in The Library That Dolly Built early on with Land Grant Films helped me develop skills as a producer that I have used throughout my career. The faculty in the School of Journalism and Media mentored me through the program and have continued to support me through a variety of communications positions at UT.”

Reporter

Rilwan Balogun (’15), KPRC TV Channel 2, Houston

“JEM really helped jumpstart my career. Professors really invested in me and helped me apply for internships and fellowships that laid the groundwork to get me where I am now.”

Alumnus Ryan McGee, ESPN writer and host.

Senior Writer and Host

Ryan McGee (’93), ESPN

“My favorite professor, the great Dr. Sam Swan, always preached the mantra ‘Learning by doing’ and really pushed us to pursue internships and he also booked trips to places like New York and Los Angeles to meet with UT JEM alums working in the industry. By the time I graduated I had already held a couple of jobs and also had a list of contacts. I did. I learned. And I’m still learning by doing every single day. “

Principal (Event Production)

Cindy Brewer (’91), LEO Events

“The skills I learned while studying JEM at UTK are invaluable to me today. Communication is key in our industry, and you must also approach every event as if you are telling a story. For corporate events, many clients like Walmart, Dominos, and Sherwin Williams come to LEO Events for their production, content, creative direction and video capabilities. Because of my JEM classes and years of experience with internships, practicums, and working at WUTK, I came out of UTK hirable and I’m still thankful for that today. “

Alumni of the Year Award

2022 – Miriam Kramer (’11)

2021 – Marquita Smith (’95)

2020 – Teresa Walker (’87)

2019 – Sharrie Williams (’01)

2018 – Frank Gibson (’76)

2017 – Steve Dean (’74)

2016 – Knight Stivender (’99)

2015 – Tori Blase (‘93)

2014 – Viola Gienger (’84)

2013 – Dean Littleton (’92)