School of Journalism & Media

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

by

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”

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

by

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 ”

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

by

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 ”

CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award

by

The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations and the School of Journalism and Media received the 2024 Equity and Diversity Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) at its annual conference in Philadelphia.

AEJMC is a prominent international organization for academics in the field, providing regional and national conferences and refereed publications. It consists of various membership divisions, interest groups, publications, and websites.

The Equity and Diversity Award is a prestigious honor recognizing academic programs in journalism and mass communication that have shown measurable success in promoting equity and diversity. The winning programs must

… Read more “CCI Schools Win 2024 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award”

CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers 

by

There are so many communication careers out there that sometimes it is difficult to share the breadth of opportunity within the field with college students. But College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) wanted to open the world of corporate events to students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so she established the LEO Events Fellows Program, which launches this fall. 

“People don’t know our jobs exist or how lucrative they are—it’s a path for journalism, for broadcast, for so many things coming out of that college,” said Brewer, who graduated from the college with a degree in … Read more “CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers ”

CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers 

by

There are so many communication careers out there that sometimes it is difficult to share the breadth of opportunity within the field with college students. But College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) wanted to open the world of corporate events to students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, so she established the LEO Events Fellows Program, which launches this fall. 

“People don’t know our jobs exist or how lucrative they are—it’s a path for journalism, for broadcast, for so many things coming out of that college,” said Brewer, who graduated from the college with a degree in … Read more “CCI Alumna Cindy Brewer Establishes LEO Events Fellows Program to Promote Corporate Event Production Careers ”

Lady Vol Basketball Player Jewel Spear Gains Leadership Skills in Rwanda

by

When Lady Vol basketball player and School of Journalism and Media alumna Jewel Spear (`24) first learned about the Tennessee-Rwanda Leadership Experience, she knew almost instantly she wanted to take advantage of this program.

During a routine visit to meet with her academic advisor last year, Spear met with Senior Associate Athletics Director and Associate Provost Marshall Steward, who informed her she was nominated to participate in the Tennessee-Rwanda Leadership Experience. 

Organized by the Division of Access and Engagement and the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center, the Tennessee-Rwanda Leadership Experience brings together twenty to twenty-five students to participate in … Read more “Lady Vol Basketball Player Jewel Spear Gains Leadership Skills in Rwanda”

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

by

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

by

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”

Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols

by

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”