School of Journalism & Media

Journalism Alum Jim Sexton Looks Back on a Colorful Career in Content Creation

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There’s a lot Jim Sexton (’81) has recognized in hindsight about his many formative experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville—but once he recognizes the impact, he turns around and acts on it. 

When it occurred to him that working as a photographer for the yearbook and The Daily Beacon helped shape his career as a content creator, he gave to the Sellers Daily Beacon Endowment to support the student-led campus newspaper. 

When he reflected on how John Ward—the long-running “Voice of the Vols” broadcaster—mentored him and shaped the trajectory of his life and career, he wrote a piece memorializing … Read more “Journalism Alum Jim Sexton Looks Back on a Colorful Career in Content Creation”

J. Phenise Poole 2024 Recipient of the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award

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When J. Phenise Poole (’95) joined College of Communication and Information students during their global programs trip to Dublin, Ireland, this past summer, she was very excited when CCI Dean Joe Mazer said that the next Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award winner was in the room. Phone in hand with the camera ready to capture the lucky alumni winner’s face, Poole awaited the reveal. 

Luckily, School of Communication Studies Professor and Director Jon Hess had the same idea as Poole and quickly snapped a series of photos recording her reaction when Mazer said her name.

“He says my name

… Read more “J. Phenise Poole 2024 Recipient of the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award”

Election Project Endeavor Includes Extensive Coverage and Live TV Special

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The College of Communication and Information established The Media Center this year to create more opportunities for students to get exceptional hands-on opportunities to learn through experience. That goal is already coming to fruition in The Media Center’s first endeavor, in collaboration with the School of Journalism and Media, to produce coordinated coverage on a news topic, in the form of the Election Project. 

“We have all of these amazing outlets housed within the college now and co-located and it’s important to find ways we can increase the power of our reporting,” said Professor Nick Geidner, The Media Center … Read more “Election Project Endeavor Includes Extensive Coverage and Live TV Special”

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds For The Region In Partnership With East Tennessee Foundation

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Caption: WUOT Reporter and All Things Considered host Jacqui Sieber (center) and WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry (right) interview Carter County Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders (left) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The reporters traveled to Carter County to report on the city of Elizabethton and nearby towns, which saw some of the worst of the flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Helene. (Justin Hicks/Kentucky Public Radio)

Pierce Gentry never imagined he’d be covering one of the region’s largest natural disasters just weeks after becoming a part-time reporter at WUOT 91.9 FM. A Knoxville native and senior majoring in journalism and media … Read more “WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds For The Region In Partnership With East Tennessee Foundation”

School Of Journalism And Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together 

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School of Journalism and Media alumni and faculty won several awards at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards in August. Pictured from the left are: alumna Caroline Mueller (’24), Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (’09), and alumna Nicki Marker (’24). with their trophies.

Alumna Nicki Marker (‘24) was leaving the stage at the 2024 Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Awards when the next award was announced and the winner’s name was one very familiar to the WHNT News multimedia reporter. 

Marker won the Horizon Award for Best Up-and-Coming Radio or Television Reporter or Personality but her excitement grew when … Read more “School Of Journalism And Media Alumni, Faculty Celebrate Broadcasting Awards Together ”

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation

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Caption: WUOT Reporter and All Things Considered host Jacqui Sieber (center) and WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry (right) interview Carter County Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders (left) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The reporters traveled to Carter County to report on the city of Elizabethton and nearby towns, which saw some of the worst of the flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Helene. (Justin Hicks/Kentucky Public Radio)

Pierce Gentry never imagined he’d be covering one of the region’s largest natural disasters just weeks after becoming a part-time reporter at WUOT 91.9 FM. A Knoxville native and senior majoring in journalism and media … Read more “WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation”

Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics”

Coffey Honored With 2024 AEJMC Robert Picard Book And Monographs Award For Media Analytics Book

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Pictured is School of Journalism and Media Director Amy Jo Coffey (left) accepting the 2024 Robert Picard Book and Monographs Award on behalf of both authors, as Ann Hollifield was not present at the annual AEJMC conference. Holding Hollifield’s copy of the award above is Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship division vice chair Dr. Min Xiao (right).

School of Journalism and Media Director Amy Jo Coffey received the prestigious 2024 Robert Picard Book and Monographs Award for a book she co-authored on media analytics.

The Association of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Media Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship Division … Read more “Coffey Honored With 2024 AEJMC Robert Picard Book And Monographs Award For Media Analytics Book”

‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY

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The School of Journalism and Media partnered with the USA TODAY Network to cover the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France this summer.

School of Journalism and Media junior and sports writer Gabriel Jackson was sitting in the press box at the Place de la Concorde reporting on the 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Paris, France.

He was taking notes for his story when the French national team walked in and the crowd erupted in cheers and song.

He stopped.

“I just wanted to enjoy it,” he said.

That was the moment it all sunk in for Jackson. He … Read more “‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’: Students Report On The 2024 Paralympic Games For USA TODAY”

CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty in Fall 2024

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Twelve faculty joined the College of Communication and Information this year, ready to add their expertise, scholarship, and instruction to their respective schools, the college, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Here’s a little bit more about them:

School of Communication Studies

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Carlson

Carlson made the move to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to be in a more research-intensive environment. Her area of expertise studies how people learn to work together, and public safety communication, including disaster-preparedness, mobile warning messages, and more. Carlson hopes to broaden her research and use that to keep her teaching fresh. 

She’s

… Read more “CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty in Fall 2024”