School of Journalism & Media

Land Grant Films’ Howard Baker Documentary Premieres at CCI Board Meeting

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Former U.S. Ambassador and longtime friend of U.S. Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr., Arthur “A.B.” Culvahouse, Jr., addressing the crowd ahead of the screening of Land Grant Films’ Baker for America documentary.

College of Communication and Information master’s student Seth Reynolds vividly remembers his dad’s reaction when he shared he was selected to work on a documentary about U.S. Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr.

“My dad’s jaw dropped to the floor,” Reynolds said. “‘That is my hero,’ he said.”

Growing up in East Tennessee, Reynolds’ dad idolized Baker because of his character and willingness to put the American people over … Read more “Land Grant Films’ Howard Baker Documentary Premieres at CCI Board Meeting”

Student-Produced Documentary Batmite Set to Premiere at Film Fest Knox

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The Film Fest Knox poster for Batmite, a student-produced documentary about the Knoxville skating community. The film will premier at the Film Fest Knox Festival on Nov. 17, 2024 in the Regal Riviera movie theater.

After moving to Knoxville, senior Emma Caskill was looking for a way to get plugged into the local skating community.

This led to the discovery of the skateboard store Pluto Sports. There she met its owner Brian Beauchene. Caskill enjoyed learning about the history of skating in Knoxville from Beauchene, who since the 1980s has been at the forefront of advocating for local skaters and … Read more “Student-Produced Documentary Batmite Set to Premiere at Film Fest Knox”

Election Project Endeavor Includes Extensive Coverage and Live TV Special

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The College of Communication and Information established The Media Center this year to create more opportunities for students to get exceptional hands-on opportunities to learn through experience. That goal is already coming to fruition in The Media Center’s first endeavor, in collaboration with the School of Journalism and Media, to produce coordinated coverage on a news topic, in the form of the Election Project. 

“We have all of these amazing outlets housed within the college now and co-located and it’s important to find ways we can increase the power of our reporting,” said Professor Nick Geidner, The Media Center … Read more “Election Project Endeavor Includes Extensive Coverage and Live TV Special”

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds For The Region In Partnership With East Tennessee Foundation

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Caption: WUOT Reporter and All Things Considered host Jacqui Sieber (center) and WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry (right) interview Carter County Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders (left) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The reporters traveled to Carter County to report on the city of Elizabethton and nearby towns, which saw some of the worst of the flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Helene. (Justin Hicks/Kentucky Public Radio)

Pierce Gentry never imagined he’d be covering one of the region’s largest natural disasters just weeks after becoming a part-time reporter at WUOT 91.9 FM. A Knoxville native and senior majoring in journalism and media … Read more “WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds For The Region In Partnership With East Tennessee Foundation”

Students Encourage Voter Participation Through the Election Project 

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With messages such as “Voting is Key” and “Rock the Vote,” students in Professor Rob Heller’s class once again designed billboards in partnership with Lamar Advertising to encourage Tennesseeans to vote this November.

Heller said six billboard designs shared with Lamar Advertising began running on digital billboards throughout Tennessee on October 4 and the company plans to keep sharing them until the day before the election.

Heller’s graphic design class is just one example this election season of students gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the industry while also educating audiences on civic topics. 

That is the purpose of the Election … Read more “Students Encourage Voter Participation Through the Election Project ”

WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation

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Caption: WUOT Reporter and All Things Considered host Jacqui Sieber (center) and WUOT Reporter Pierce Gentry (right) interview Carter County Public Information Officer Ivan Sanders (left) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The reporters traveled to Carter County to report on the city of Elizabethton and nearby towns, which saw some of the worst of the flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Helene. (Justin Hicks/Kentucky Public Radio)

Pierce Gentry never imagined he’d be covering one of the region’s largest natural disasters just weeks after becoming a part-time reporter at WUOT 91.9 FM. A Knoxville native and senior majoring in journalism and media … Read more “WUOT Covers Hurricane Helene, Raises Funds for the Region in Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation”

Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-On Experience Covering Adaptive Sports At The 2024 Paralympics”

Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics

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School of Journalism and Media student Griffin Hadley interviewing athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games for USA TODAY

Senior Griffin Hadley was first exposed to the sport of goalball while visiting the Philippines with the VOLeaders Academy at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A year later, the School of Journalism and Media major and Tennessee Vol swimmer would be in Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games producing an explainer video for the USA TODAY Network to introduce others to this unique and possible “new favorite” sport.

“In the middle of a trip where I was fully immersed in adaptive sports, learning … Read more “Students Get Hands-on Experience Covering Adaptive Sports at the 2024 Paralympics”

Renovated TV Studio Enhances Students’ Experiential Learning Experiences at CCI

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Students producing Rocky Top Rundown as part of Professor Guy Harrison’s course in the newly renovated TV studio.

While interning with WVLT-News over the summer, School of Journalism and Media senior Ella Grey Macnicoll had the opportunity to produce news packages and work on the production side of the newsroom.

As part of her experience, she worked with Electronic News Production Systems (ENPS), which is a software system media organizations use to manage editorial content and production workflows. 

Macnicoll said there was a learning curve but she was glad to have the opportunity to get to know this type of … Read more “Renovated TV Studio Enhances Students’ Experiential Learning Experiences at CCI”

CCI Launches The Media Center to Boost Real-World Experience for Students

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School of Journalism and Media student Eliza Noell shooting at Macmillan Publishers office in New York City for Land Grant Films’ Shooting for an A: Video Games and Education documentary.

The College of Communication and Information officially launched The Media Center this summer as an initiative to provide more high-quality, real-world experiences for students. 

“Working at the student and professional outlets in CCI during college is an invaluable experience for students,” said School of Journalism and Media Professor and The Media Center Director Nick Geidner. “They gain real-world experience in a supportive learning environment, where they are able to grow … Read more “CCI Launches The Media Center to Boost Real-World Experience for Students”