COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION 2020 Annual Report University of Tennessee College of Communication & Information 2020 Annual Report UT Today: Now & Then Now Today: UT WELCOME 03 Letter from Dean Wirth 04 Working from Home 50 YEARS OF CCI 05 CCI 50th Anniversary Gala 08 Alumni Memories 10 CCI Timeline CCI TODAY 12 Diversity & Inclusion 14 Building The Library That Dolly Built 16 Social Media 18 Research & Alumni Awards 20 Student Feature: Charli Kerns 21 Torchbearer History 22 Global Programs 24 New Paths 26 Alumni 30 Giving All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual ori- entation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity. CCI.UTK.EDU 1 A MESSAGE FROM Dean Mike Wirth The past year was momentous in so many ways. Last fall, we celebrated CCI’s 50-year anniversary with many alums, friends and supporters joining us for a wonderful celebration at the Knox- ville Convention Center. In the spring, our students and faculty had to pivot to 100 percent remote teaching and learning after Spring Break as a result of COVID-19 including holding vir- tual Spring Commencements. In summer, thanks to so many of you, we celebrated the end of UT’s Join the Journey Cam- paign during which CCI raised $22.4 million, 149 percent of our campaign goal of $15 million. These milestones serve to highlight the incredible work of CCI’s dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and administrators and underscore the continued growth and potential of this great College. Since its inception in 1969, the College has enriched the com- munication and information professions by fulfilling its mission to educate students, conduct cutting edge research and creative work and serve our communities. We embrace the values of intellectual pursuit, honesty and integrity, diversity and inclusion, interna- tional and intercultural awareness, social justice, and other core ideals of the University of Tennessee in the land-grant tradition as we send our graduates into the world. This special College has had a profound impact on all of us and the Communications Building/Circle Park is “hallowed ground.” As you look through this document, you’ll see the names of many “CCI greats,” both past and present. You’ll also see stories about: how our faculty, staff and students rose to the challenge of remote teaching and learning, our outstanding programs (e.g., diversity and inclusion, documentary films, study abroad and social me- dia), our world-class research, our new degree programs, and our outstanding students and alumni. We are an integral part of the Volunteer family and a significant part of the greatness of this 226-year-old institution. Our alumni have done remarkable things in their professions and epitomize the VOLunteer spirit in their communities. You in- spire all of us –students, faculty and staff – to strive for excellence in everything we do. The work of building a world class college is never done. Thanks to your ongoing help and support, CCI will continue its ascent over the next 50 years as a premiere College of Communication and Information. I hope you enjoy this commemorative annual report. Please know you have an open invitation to come back to Rocky Top to visit CCI and to share your ideas for helping us become more successful! Go Vols and Go CCI! - Mike Wirth, Dean 2 In March, the University of Tennessee moved WFH operations online because of coronavirus, leading to creative educational solutions When classes moved online after uate student Lou Brown reported on of Information Sciences technology spring break, School of Journalism COVID-19 regulations in her home coordinator Dan Greene to relaunch and Electronic Media lecturer Melissa country of Australia, and senior Hai- the show’s website, and she ran the Greene-Blye (PhD '20) was not sure ley Gravitt filmed an empty Las Vegas UT Today social media accounts. about the future of UT Today. Strip. After Tocco returned to her home The student-led weekly TV news Savannah Smith, an aspiring news in Long Island, New York, she found program was produced by Greene- producer, transitioned from work- a feature story in her own house. She Blye’s advanced multimedia report- ing in a control room with indus- produced a news package about her ing class. From on-camera roles try-standard production equipment sister, Alessia, who sews masks for to operating the teleprompter, the to a computer at her family’s home in the local medical community. course gives students who want to be Chattanooga. After anchors recorded “We’ve had to be more creative anchors and reporters an opportuni- their segments via Zoom and report- to turn content,” Tocco said. “I’ve ty to run a full news program in the ers submitted their news packages, learned a lot more about myself as Communication Building’s broadcast she assembled the full show in post- a journalist—what I can do without studio. production. all that high-tech equipment. It isn’t “How do you take an in-studio Working on UT Today was a high- easy to do from home.” class virtual?” Greene-Blye asked. light since returning home, and it has The months of online broadcasts “Students in this class receive an- confirmed her career path. were a learning opportunity away choring experience for their highlight “It’s definitely given me encour- from the studio. Greene-Blye said reel. The students were adamant for agement that I am passionate about helped students prepare for an evolv- the show to go on.” this industry,” Smith said. “It’s hard to ing broadcast industry where mobile Equipped with Zoom meetings put together a show by yourself. In production with phones is relied on and mobile phones, the students con- the studio, I had this adrenaline rush more often. verted their traditional show to an en- to get things done. I’m starting to feel “This is a watershed moment tirely online production. that again.” where students learned how to use The students were scattered all Marcella Tocco started the semes- better lighting and sound through over the world, from Tennessee all ter as the entertainment anchor and phones,” Greene-Blye said. “Student the way to Australia. The geograph- reporter, but she added the title of journalists need to be able to use that ic spread led the show to explore lead digital producer once the show phone in the highest capacity possi- new perspectives and angles. Grad- went online. She worked with School ble.” CCI.UTK.EDU 3 On October 11, 2019, the UT College of Communication & Information held its 50th Anniversary Gala at the Knoxville Convention Center to celebrate the past, present, and future of the college. 4 CCI ANNUAL REPORT 50TH ANNIVERSARY Longtime Tennessee news anchors Anne Holt Blackburn (JEM ’73, WKRN-News 2 in Nashville) and Josh Smith (JEM ’94, WJHL-TV News Channel 11 in Johnson City) served as masters of ceremony. CCI.UTK.EDU 5 6 CCI ANNUAL REPORT 50TH ANNIVERSARY Banquet Award Winners Judge Nannette Baker (JEM ’78), chief magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis, received the Donald G. Hileman Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her remarkable career in television news as a practicing attorney, and as a judge. It is the highest award given annually by the college. 2019 Faculty Awards Faculty Teaching Award Awa Zhu, Associate Professor, Information Sciences Faculty Research Award Barb Kaye, Professor, Journalism & Electronic Media Faculty Service/Outreach Award Vandana Singh, Associate Professor, Information Sciences Lecturer Teaching Award Sharon Toedte, Lecturer, Advertising & Public Relations Bud Minkel International/ Intercultural Award Devendra Potnis, Associate Professor, Information Sciences 2019 Alumni Awards Communication Studies Graham Thomas (’08) Advertising Leslie Osborne (’97) Journalism & Electronic Media Sharrie Williams Public Relations Ed Patterson (’89) Information Sciences Zoe Hoyle (MSIS ’94) - not pictured CCI.UTK.EDU 7 ASK ALUMNI Professors Who Educated, Challenged, & Inspired Us “Willis Tucker, head of the journal- much more than great journalism “Alice Wirth brought me into the Di- ism department, convinced me that from him; he gave me good advice versity Student Leaders Society my I could earn a living in the field. It for decades. I miss him terribly.” junior year by bribing me with free was a close call. I could have been a — Karen Fuson Buchsbaum food. It was a new organization and baseball umpire.” JEM, 1975 I immediately got involved. I end- — Marvin West ed up being the Vice President my JEM, 1955 “The CCI professor with the big- senior year and the lessons I learned gest impact on my career was Dr. and friends I made during that time Swan.