School of Journalism & Media

Tarwater, WVLT Wins Emmy® Awards For Documentary On Clemency For Cash Scandal

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School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (‘09) won Midsouth Regional Emmy® Awards for her work on the WVLT News Original Documentary, A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton’s Last Dance

School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater (‘09) isn’t sure what made her take author Keel Hunt’s book on vacation that day.

Titled Coup: The Day the Democrats Ousted Their Governor, Put Republican Lamar Alexander in Office Early, and Stopped a Pardon Scandal, Hunt’s book captured the behind-the-scenes story of how Tennessee Democrats and Republicans banded together to remove former Gov. Ray Blanton … Read more “Tarwater, WVLT Wins Emmy® Awards For Documentary On Clemency For Cash Scandal”

CCI Announces New Director of the School of Journalism and Media

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After a national search, the School of Journalism and Media will have a new director starting in July, Amy Jo Coffey, a former broadcast journalist who found her calling in higher education. Coffey comes to the College of Communication and Information to lead the school after serving as program manager for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ online audience analytics master’s program, and as graduate coordinator for one of the college’s residential master’s degree programs in mass communication. 

“Dr. Coffey’s exceptional record of scholarly and industry success speaks volumes to her commitment to excellence and building for … Read more “CCI Announces New Director of the School of Journalism and Media”

UT Alum, Award-winning Reporter Brittany Tarwater Brings Industry Experience to the Classroom

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Caption: Award-winning reporter and alumna Brittany Tarwater (’09) working for WVLT News. Tarwater is the School of Journalism and Media’s newest full-time assistant professor of practice.

One of alumna Brittany Tarwater’s (‘09) favorite classes as a student was Journalism and Electronic Media 460—colloquially known to students then as UT Today.

The class operated similarly to a newsroom while students worked on their writing, editing, and broadcasting skills. Professor Emeritus Sam Swan taught the course. Tarwater said Swan “fanned the flames” for her when it came to pursuing a career in broadcasting. She added his patience, advice, and guidance helped her … Read more “UT Alum, Award-winning Reporter Brittany Tarwater Brings Industry Experience to the Classroom”

JEM Professor Releases New Book On Eclipses, Recounts 2023 ‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse

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School of Journalism and Media Professor Mark Littmann has written a new book with Fred Espenak called “Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024”.

School of Journalism and Media Professor Mark Littmann still recalls his first total eclipse.

The year was 1979 and a total eclipse of the sun would occur on February 26 along a path through the northwestern United States and central Canada. Given the time of year, he knew visibility from the ground was unlikely due to heavy cloud cover at that time of year, so some people wanting to experience a total eclipse were trying … Read more “JEM Professor Releases New Book On Eclipses, Recounts 2023 ‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse”

Roessner to serve as faculty senate president for 2023-24 academic year

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School of Journalism and Media Professor Amber Roessner will serve as president of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Faculty Senate for the 2023-24 academic year.

Roessner has served on the faculty senate for six years. Retired College of Communication and Information colleagues Candace White and Sally McMillan encouraged her to step into university leadership. She began her service as a committee chair and last year served as president-elect.

“In this role, I have been deeply committed to the principles of shared governance—to making certain that all Vols are represented at the table and that we engage with all voices in … Read more “Roessner to serve as faculty senate president for 2023-24 academic year”

School of Journalism & Media welcomes four new faculty members

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The School of Journalism and Media will welcome four new faculty members this fall.

Joining the team are Assistant Professors Ahmad Hayat, Martin J. Riedl, Shannon Scovel and Shiyu Yang. Interim Director of the School of Journalism and Media Courtney Childers said she is excited to welcome each of them to the school.

“We are so excited to have them join our team,” Childers said. “Their expertise will only elevate the quality instruction and hands-on opportunities students have with us from day one.”

Ahmad Hayat

Headshot of Dr. Ahmad Hayat

A former Kuwait TV producer and script analyst for Hollywood movie studios Eclectic Pictures and … Read more “School of Journalism & Media welcomes four new faculty members”

Harrison Explores Challenges of Female Sportscasters in New Book

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Journalism and Electronic Media Assistant Professor Guy Harrison recently published his first scholarly book, On the Sidelines, which explores the systemic sexism and racism that female sportscasters face in the workplace and that gendered neoliberalism maintains this status quo.

Read the book summary below followed by a Q&A with Harrison about the book’s research process and discussing these topics in the classroom:

When sports fans turn on the television or radio today, they undoubtedly find more women on the air than ever before. Nevertheless, women sportscasters are still subjected to gendered and racialized mistreatment in the workplace and online … Read more “Harrison Explores Challenges of Female Sportscasters in New Book”

Rob Heller Selected for CCI Board of Visitors Professorship

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School of Journalism and Electronic Media Professor Rob Heller has been selected as the fourth recipient of the CCI Board of Visitors Professorship. 

The BOV Professorship, currently held by Suzie Allard, Chancellor’s Professor in Information Sciences and CCI Associate Dean for Research, was made possible by generous gifts from donors including current and emeritus members of the college’s Board of Visitors. The three-year rotating professorship was established to recognize and reward outstanding CCI faculty members whose research, creative activity, teaching, and academic and professional service have uniquely contributed to the mission of their school, the college and the university.

Heller … Read more “Rob Heller Selected for CCI Board of Visitors Professorship”

Remembering Bonnie Hufford

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The College of Communications and Electronic Media has been hit with the loss of one of the most beloved UT instructors, Bonnie Hufford.

After a decades-long battles with cancer, Hufford passed away on October 2nd at the age of 66. In her time at UT, Hufford was one of the first female faculty members to win the College’s Favorite Professor Award; just two years after she joined the CCI family.

The full story of Hufford and her impact on campus can be found by clicking here; written by one of the Beacon staff writers, Daniel Dassow.

Knox County Library Honors Geidner, ‘The Library that Dolly Built’

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Knox County Library honored journalism and electronic media associate professor Nick Geidner by presenting him with its 2020 Seeds of Imagination Award on Sept. 17 for his work on the Land Grant Films’ documentary “The Library that Dolly Built.”

This documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides registered children with one free book each month from when they are born to when they turn five years old.

Geidner, who directed and produced the film, has personal experience with this program.

“My oldest son got the Imagination Library books, and we just … Read more “Knox County Library Honors Geidner, ‘The Library that Dolly Built’”