School of Journalism & Media

CCI Alum Gives $4.5 Million to Establish the Alan and Wendy Wilson Communication and Leadership Academy

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Alan Wilson (’80) used communication skills he learned at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, every day of his storied business career, which culminated as Chairman and CEO of McCormick and Company. 

“The most important part of my job as CEO was communicating. I spent most of my time doing that, but leadership really is about communication—it’s about helping people understand what your strategies are and bringing them into alignment with those strategies,” he said.

The importance of communication in business and leadership is why he and his wife, Wendy Wilson, are investing $4.5 million to establish the Alan and Wendy

… Read more “CCI Alum Gives $4.5 Million to Establish the Alan and Wendy Wilson Communication and Leadership Academy”

Alumna Cecelia Prewett Sees Her Study Abroad Scholarship Impact by Joining Ireland Trip

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When Cecelia Prewett (’93) was studying journalism at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she had one of the most impactful experiences of her life when she participated in a study abroad trip to the Netherlands.

“It changed my life. So, when I was asked to join the Board of Visitors and they said, ‘You can do direct giving or give to the general fund.’ I said immediately I want to help change somebody’s life like mine was,” she said.

With that knowledge, Prewett established a scholarship specifically earmarked to support students at the College of Communication and Information who want … Read more “Alumna Cecelia Prewett Sees Her Study Abroad Scholarship Impact by Joining Ireland Trip”

‘Chronicling History’: Alums, Students Document Tennessee Baseball First National Title

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The Daily Beacon released a special issue to commemorate Tennessee baseball winning its first Men’s College World Series title in June.

After the Tennessee Vols defeated Florida State University to advance to the championship game at the 2024 Men’s College World Series Finals, it started to sink in for The Daily Beacon sports editor Caleb Jarreau that he may have the opportunity to cover history.

Fast forward to the final game on June 24 and Jarreau’s stomach was in knots all day. He felt the pressure to write the best stories ever if Tennessee won.

However, when pitcher Aaron Combs … Read more “‘Chronicling History’: Alums, Students Document Tennessee Baseball First National Title”

Alumna Nikki Burdine Uses Journalism Platform To Advocate For Others

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“It was the scariest and best day of my life.”

That’s how School of Journalism and Media alumna and co-anchor of WKRN’s Good Morning Nashville Nikki Burdine (’05) described the birth of her first child Andi.

Burdine gave birth to Andi twenty-eight weeks into her pregnancy—far from full-term. She weighed just one pound, four ounces.

Due to her size, Burdine’s daughter was considered a ‘micro-preemie’, and Andi’s first few weeks of life were spent in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

One day while visiting Andi in the NICU, Burdine ran into a close friend who was also visiting her … Read more “Alumna Nikki Burdine Uses Journalism Platform To Advocate For Others”

Master’s Student, CCI Staff Member Austin Orr Views Degree As Next Step Towards Teaching Goal

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Office of Student Media technology coordinator and advisor Austin Orr has aspirations of one day being an instructor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In his current role, he works with students on a daily basis helping them grow their photography and video skills through hands-on experiences in student media organizations such as Lumos Media Services and The Daily Beacon.

“That experience has been so fulfilling and so enriching that I was like, I really want to do my master’s so that I can have the potential to teach actual classes one day,” Orr said.

This May, Orr moves … Read more “Master’s Student, CCI Staff Member Austin Orr Views Degree As Next Step Towards Teaching Goal”

UT Alumnus Teaching Course in Sports Promotion and Branding while Working for UT Athletics

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Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations adjunct lecturer Josh Lively (‘16, ‘19) holds many roles at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to teaching, he serves as an assistant director for strategic communications at Tennessee Athletics, where he’s responsible for overseeing the media relations of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and volleyball programs. Additionally, he oversees the student intern program for the media relations office.

Lively spent his childhood in Harriman, Tennessee, which is located around forty-five minutes away from UT’s campus. With the university in his backyard, there was only one place he wanted to … Read more “UT Alumnus Teaching Course in Sports Promotion and Branding while Working for UT Athletics”

Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols

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Alum Steve Hamer (’20) speaks to adjunct lecturer Phil Kaplan’s JREM 475 Sports Writing class during the fall 2023 semester.

Growing up in Grand Junction, Tennessee, there were two things School of Journalism and Media alumnus Steve Hamer (‘20) wanted to do as a kid: play basketball and commentate on basketball games.

Throughout his career Hamer accomplished both of those things. The former University of Tennessee, Knoxville college basketball standout and NBA player has not only played the game at the highest level but also routinely shares his expertise as a sports commentator for basketball games on the SEC Network … Read more “Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols”

Alum Gene Wojciechowski shares insights, reflects on award-winning sports journalism career with students

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The first time Gene Wojciechowski (’79) was on camera it went horribly.

It was at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia and Wojciechowski was covering the Masters Tournament for ESPN. He was charged with delivering a two-minute live report that morning. The plan was that once on air, fellow ESPN broadcaster Scott Van Pelt would cue Wojciechowski up on each item and he would deliver his report.

However, things did not go as plan and Wojciechowski was suddenly on camera.

“And, I just melt,” Wojciechowski said, speaking to a class of School of Journalism and Media students on Wednesday. … Read more “Alum Gene Wojciechowski shares insights, reflects on award-winning sports journalism career with students”

JEM alum fulfills dream with unveiling of Condrege Holloway-inspired Smokey Grey football uniforms

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JEM alum Evan Ford (’17) poses with the new “Artful Dodger” Smokey Grey uniform he designed for the 2023 home opener against Austin Peay.

Evan Ford (’17) used to sketch, doodle, and dream about designing a University of Tennessee, Knoxville football uniform as a high school student.

Now, his dreams have become reality.

The School of Journalism and Media alumnus and Vols fan will see players wear the new “Artful Dodger” Smokey Grey uniforms he designed for the 2023 home opener on Saturday vs. Austin Peay.

Ford said UT Athletics, in partnership with Nike, announced last year players would wear … Read more “JEM alum fulfills dream with unveiling of Condrege Holloway-inspired Smokey Grey football uniforms”

“Seize the day”: JEM alum Ryan McGee delivers 2023 commencement address

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Ryan McGee at 2023 CCI CommencementESPN writer, broadcaster and School of Journalism and Electronic Media alum Ryan McGee (’93) encouraged the graduating class of 2023 to “seize the day.”

Speaking at the 2023 College of Communication and Information commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19, McGee said there are those who put down today’s generation and lament about the future. He believes those who buy in to these lowest denominator generalizations of Generation Z have not been among them.

McGee shared this generation never fails to inspire him with their energy, spirit, drive, love of life and ability to persevere even in the face of adversity. … Read more ““Seize the day”: JEM alum Ryan McGee delivers 2023 commencement address”