School of Journalism & Media

Graduating Senior Peyton Gravell Grateful For Hands-On Experiences At UT

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Graduating senior Peyton Gravell loves being on-air, but the School of Journalism and Media major was not always comfortable being in front of the camera.

The first time she was on-air for The Volunteer Channel (TVC), she was eager but a bit stiff.

“I could tell she was a natural but she was all in her head,” said Clinton Elmore, the station’s video production specialist and advisor.

He took her aside afterwards and worked with her on having a more conversational tone on-air. Gravell was excited for the constructive feedback and has since ran with it as she works towards … Read more “Graduating Senior Peyton Gravell Grateful For Hands-On Experiences At UT”

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”

Students Document UT Alum, Medal of Honor Recipient Larry L. Taylor’s Story For Future Generations

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Above: School of Journalism and Media student Sarah Grace Kennedy interview UT Alum and Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Larry L. Taylor in Chattanooga.

Twenty years ago, the total number of living Medal of Honor recipients was in the hundreds.

Today, fewer than 100 living recipients remain.

For the past decade, students with the School of Journalism and Media have been documenting the stories of these American heroes as part of the Medal of Honor project — a student-led program produced by Land Grant Films and The Volunteer Channel.

Most recently, junior Carter Moore and senior Sarah Grace Kennedy traveled … Read more “Students Document UT Alum, Medal of Honor Recipient Larry L. Taylor’s Story For Future Generations”

UT Student Media Organizations Win CMA Individual Pinnacle Awards

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The Daily Beacon won a second-place 2023 CMA Individual Pinnacle Award for best special section, four pages or less., for its piece focusing on the impact of the “12th man” during the Tennessee Volunteers’ win over Alabama in October 2022.

Ablaze magazine and The Daily Beacon won three College Media Association Individual Pinnacle Awards last week during the 2023 Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association Fall National College Media Convention.

“It’s exciting to see The Daily Beacon and Ablaze represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville at the College Media Association convention,” Office of Student Media Advisor Kylie Irvine said. “We are … Read more “UT Student Media Organizations Win CMA Individual Pinnacle Awards”

Students Attend SPJ23 Journalism Convention in Las Vegas

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Students traveled to Las Vegas in September to attend SPJ23 Journalism Convention. Pictured from left to right is Jack Foster, Peyton Gravell and Assistant Professor Michael Martinez

School of Journalism and Media senior Peyton Gravell has been a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) student chapter at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville since her first semester on campus.

So, when Assistant Professor Michael Martinez sought students to attend the SPJ23 Journalism Convention this past September, it was an easy decision for Gravell, who serves as the chapter’s vice president.

Martinez said this past conference was the first … Read more “Students Attend SPJ23 Journalism Convention in Las Vegas”

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”

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”

New leadership and enterprise concentration expands opportunities for journalism and media majors

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Students interested in media promotions, sales, programming and entrepreneurship can pursue that passion as part of the School of Journalism and Media’s newest leadership and enterprise concentration.

School of Journalism and Media Professor Catherine Luther said the concentration was launched this fall based on feedback from students and faculty to offer more courses focused on the business side of the media industry. She added while the school has offered business-related courses it was never as a program of study.

“While learning about the power of good storytelling through their journalism and visual production courses, students will also develop valuable knowledge … Read more “New leadership and enterprise concentration expands opportunities for journalism and media majors”

Students attend 2023 National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair

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For School of Journalism and Media doctoral student Byron Keys attending a National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention and Career Fair has been on his to-do list for a few years.

Keys said he first learned about this opportunity as a master’s student at Arkansas State University where he was a member of their local NABJ chapter. He recalls his excitement at the possibility of meeting and learning from other Black journalists and media professionals at the convention.

Alas, circumstances led to the trip never happening. So, when the chance to attend again presented itself once more as a … Read more “Students attend 2023 National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair”

Award-winning Colombian journalist to kickoff 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

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Students, faculty, staff, and members of the public are invited to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with award-winning Colombian journalist, activist, and diversity consultant Edna Liliana Valencia Murillo.

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Interdisciplinary Program, the College of Communication and Information (CCI), and the School of Journalism and Media (JEM) will host “Diversity and Communication in Colombia: Q&A with Edna Liliana Valencia Murillo” on Sept. 18 at 4:10 p.m. in Room M309 of the Walters Academic Building.

The event is open to the public but space is limited. Please RSVP by sending an email to gharri37@utk.edu.

“We are so … Read more “Award-winning Colombian journalist to kickoff 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration”