School of Journalism & Media

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 ”

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”

CCI Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award

by

Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations Assistant Professor Jeannettee Iannacone was honored with the James E. Grunig and Larissa A. Grunig Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award at the 2024 International Communication Association Conference (ICA).

Iannacone was part of a group of College of Communication and Information doctoral students and faculty members from the Tombras School and the School of Journalism and Media (JEM) representing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the prestigious conference in June.

JEMa Assistant Professor Mustafa Oz said ICA is a highly important conference in the communication field, attracting thousands of academics and scholars from around … Read more “CCI Faculty Present At ICA Conference; Iannocone Earns Top Thesis/Dissertation Award”

Students Cover 2024 US Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials For USA TODAY

by

Three School of Journalism and Media students covered the 2024 US Paralympic Team Trials – Track and Field in July for USA TODAY ahead of traveling to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Pictured from left are Catherine Ligon, Avery Bane, and Gabriel Jackson.

“Never in a million years.”

Those are the odds School of Journalism and Media major Catherine Ligon would have guessed if asked about her chances of being published in USA TODAY prior to this summer.

However, that all changed for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, junior last month.

“It was really humbling.I got super excited when … Read more “Students Cover 2024 US Paralympic Track and Field Team Trials For USA TODAY”

Students Learn About British Sporting Culture In London Over The Summer

by

Shannon Upton knew studying abroad would benefit her greatly in the future.

This led the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations senior to search for the right experience. Her pursuit led her to the School of Journalism and Media’s Sports Communication in the UK study abroad program. 

The annual program provides students with real-world experiences in sports journalism and sports communication all while immersing them in British sports culture and history.

“My overall experience of the program was great,” Upton said. “If it wasn’t for this trip, I would not have met some of my best friends and would … Read more “Students Learn About British Sporting Culture In London Over The Summer”

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

by

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

by

“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”

Professor Catherine Luther Awarded $400K DoD Grant

by

A unique two-year Department of Defense (DoD) grant that pairs civilian researchers with military experts was recently awarded to Professor Catherine Luther, director of the Information Integrity Institute housed at the College of Communication and Information. 

Luther teamed up with U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jahara Matisek of the U.S. Naval War College to create a proposal for a Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership grant under the DoD’s Minerva Research Initiative. Matisek, a command pilot and military professor, has a PhD in political science and specializes in national security.

Professor Catherine Luther

“I was intrigued by this … Read more “Professor Catherine Luther Awarded $400K DoD Grant”