School of Journalism & Media

JEM Sports-Focused Alumni Share Academic, Career Journeys

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They trekked across campus sporting their University of Tennessee shirts, hats and even checkered overalls. 

They also walked the curved halls of the College of Communication and Information [CCI], where they laid the foundations for their careers in sports media. 

These journalism and electronic media [JEM] alumni are eight of the hundreds who’ve found careers in sports media, and all of them agree that their work on campus helped shape their careers.

Katherine Donnelly (2015), ESPN

Students in the JEM program learn about social media platforms and how to use them as content creators.

Katherine Donnelly found a career managing … Read more “JEM Sports-Focused Alumni Share Academic, Career Journeys”

Q&A with IRTS Fellow Ford Sanders

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As part of his journey to becoming a news anchor after graduation, senior journalism and electronic media major Ford Sanders has gained experience with news stations on the local and national level. During his time as a UT student, he has worked with WVLT-TV and the UT Today program in Knoxville and with CBS’ New York City-based programs.

Sanders was among an elite group of students who had the opportunity to be part of the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) Fellowship Program, a prestigious program for 30 to 40 students from a nationwide pool of more than 1,000 applicants. … Read more “Q&A with IRTS Fellow Ford Sanders”

Heller’s Media Graphics Class Creates Billboards for 2020 Election

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In what has become a tradition every four years, journalism and electronic media students in Professor Rob Heller’s Media Graphics class (JEM 380) created billboard designs to encourage voter participation in the presidential election. 

Heller’s class partnered with Lamar Advertising, which ran student billboard advertisements prior to the 2016 presidential election. This year, Lamar Advertising cycled through four student designs on an electronic billboard in Memphis. 

The idea for this project began in 2012 when the class worked with the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy to post 12 designs around campus. 

“I’ve given this … Read more “Heller’s Media Graphics Class Creates Billboards for 2020 Election”

Teresa Walker receives JEM 2020 Alumna of the Year award

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Teresa Walker, pro football writer for The Associated Press in Tennessee, is the 2020 Alumna of the Year for the School of Journalism and Electronic Media.

A three-time Tennessee Sportswriter of the Year recipient, Walker was elected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

Furthermore, Walker won a 2015 APSE award for a feature from the Masters, and she is also a two-time president of the Pro Football Writers Association in Nashville and past president of the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

Walker has come full circle with UT’s recognition of her work.

“It is incredibly … Read more “Teresa Walker receives JEM 2020 Alumna of the Year award”

Cherokee Stickball Documentary Scheduled for TV, Festival Premiere

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Documentary Synopsis

Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina is a tight-knit community of the remaining members of the Cherokee tribe, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. One of the tribes’ cultural traditions still practiced is the game of stickball. In the year 2000, nearly 100 women: mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, and friends, took the field to play and exercise the matriarchal spirit that the Cherokee were known for. ᎡᏘᏴ ᏥᎾᎾᏛᏁᎮ ᎠᏰᎵᏐ ᎾᏛᏁᎰ / She Carries On tells the story of these women, how and why they played, and what the game means to them and their

… Read more “Cherokee Stickball Documentary Scheduled for TV, Festival Premiere”

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.

CCI Communication Job, Internship, and Practicum Fair

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It may look a little different this year, but we are still holding our annual job and internship fair THIS week!

If you’re interested in media production, check out:
PopFizz
 RIVR Media, LLC
 Discovery, Inc.
 T. Howard Foundation Internship Program
 Loch and Key
 The Hive

If you’re interested in PR, marketing, or advertising, check out:
Slingshot
 Shoney’s Knoxville
 Choice Media and Communications
 Ruder Finn, Inc.
Second Mile Marketing
 Concord
 Jewelry TV

If you’re interested in news and radio, check out:
 Gray Television- WVLT
Entercom- Chattanooga
Stonecom Radio
 SummitMedia
 WATE- TV
 WBIR
 WYCB
 WRCB
 Midwest Communications
Sinclair Broadcast Group- WTVC

If … Read more “CCI Communication Job, Internship, and Practicum Fair”

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’”

Jenkins Explores Digital News Trends of Local, Regional Newspapers

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The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism published Assistant Professor Joy Jenkins’ digital news report titled “Publish Less, but Publish Better: Pivoting to Paid in Local News” on Sept. 24. Her research revealed that newspapers need to shift their focus to maintain lasting relationships with their consistent viewers rather than trying to reach more audiences and “fly-by” visitors.

Jenkins, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Tennessee, began researching this topic in 2017 while at the Reuters Institute.

“During my time [at the Reuters Institute], my focus was on … Read more “Jenkins Explores Digital News Trends of Local, Regional Newspapers”

Q&A with News21 Fellow Gabriela Szymanowska

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While she was a student in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media, Gabriela Szymanowska (JEM ’20) developed a passion for telling people’s stories that can raise awareness or inspire change on important social issues.

Gabi Szymanowska PortraitShe gained more experience telling those critical stories through writing and photography during her eight-month fellowship with the Carnegie-Knight News21 program, the prestigious multimedia project that brings together the country’s top journalism students and graduates. Because of COVID-19, this year’s 35 News21 fellows from 16 universities collaborated virtually on “Kids Imprisoned,” an investigation into juvenile justice in America.

Szymanowska served as Editor-in-Chief of the Daily … Read more “Q&A with News21 Fellow Gabriela Szymanowska”