School of Journalism & Media

Students Participate In Tennessean Journalism Academy

by

The Tennessean from Jan. 9-11, 2024, hosted 13 college students for an inaugural Journalism Academy. From left to right, the students who attended were Stevie Paige from the University of Memphis, Garrett Bland from Tennessee State University, Symone Maxwell from University of Memphis, Marisa Sardonia from East Tennessee State University, Braden Simmons from Belmont University, Ella Grey MacNicoll from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Jennifer Lindahl from Austin Peay State University, Charlotte Mauger from Vanderbilt University, Riley Haltom from the UT Knoxville, Alayna Simons from Trevecca Nazarene University, Hannah Cron from Lipscomb University, Shamani Salahuddin from Middle Tennessee State … Read more “Students Participate In Tennessean Journalism Academy”

Graduating Senior Sarah Grace Kennedy Hopes To Reflect The Volunteer Spirit In Her Work

by

Learning about the Volunteer spirit convinced graduating senior Sarah Grace Kennedy to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“Tennessee stood out to me from most of the schools I got into because I liked the Volunteer spirit,” Kennedy said. “Helping the community is really important to me and I like that we are the Volunteers. That was something special to me.”

Kennedy has been volunteering from a very young age. She and her family raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society through its Relay for Life campaign. She also recalls working with Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit organization … Read more “Graduating Senior Sarah Grace Kennedy Hopes To Reflect The Volunteer Spirit In Her Work”

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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”