TVC students celebrate after successfully producing “Voting Matters,” a live Election Day special, on Nov. 5, 2024.
Three weeks before Election Day, School of Journalism and Media Assistant Professor of Practice Brittany Tarwater reached out to the student leadership at The Volunteer Channel (TVC) with an idea to produce an Election Day live special.
Inspired by the great work the students have been doing all semester covering the election as part of the Election Project, a collaborative reporting initiative between the School of Journalism and Media and The Media Center, Tarwater viewed the live special as the next logical step.
“I just knew that we were ready,” Tarwater said. “I just had full confidence that we had the content and the personnel to make it happen. It was an opportunity that was just too good to miss.”
Junior journalism and media major and TVC assistant managing editor Gracyn Thatcher said Tarwater’s faith in the students encouraged everyone to take on the challenge. Thatcher co-anchored the show alongside TVC managing editor Kylia Berry.
“This was our first time going live ever,” Thatcher said. “So, my energy was ramped up. It was a really good experience to feel what it’s like to go live.”
Berry, a senior pursuing a journalism and media major, also felt the live show experience was a great opportunity for students. Even though she aspires to be a multimedia journalist she enjoyed anchoring a live show. She said there is always the possibility she might be asked to go behind the desk as a professional and it is valuable to have some experience.
“Producing an hour-long election show really helps separate us from other student journalists and journalism programs nationwide” Berry said.
As a self-described “big politics nerd” and someone aspiring to work in network television, TVC executive producer Grey MacNicoll enjoys watching live news specials, so getting a taste of what it is like to produce one as a student was an invaluable experience.
MacNicoll, a senior journalism and media major, led production of the special. She hopes all the students who participated and/or watched from behind-the-scenes saw the excitement and energy that comes with live television.
Great support
Thatcher said another great aspect of the experience was having support from School of Journalism and Media faculty members such as Professor of Practice Gene Wojciehowski, Assistant Professor Shannon Scovel, Professor Amber Roessner, Professor Nick Geidner and The Media Center and College of Communication and Information staff.
Students even had a surprise guest as University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Donde Plowman also stopped by during the broadcast to lend her support. MacNicoll recalls seeing someone out of her peripherals lean over technical director Holland Hines.
“It wasn’t something we typically do so I turned to see who it was and I just went ‘Oh, hello Chancellor Plowman.’,” MacNicoll said. “I was not expecting her to be there at all, but it means so much.”
MacNicoll, Berry, and Thatcher attended Plowman’s office hours weeks prior to share more about TVC and extend an invitation to the chancellor to attend. However, it was still surreal seeing the chancellor show up and they are grateful for her support.
Exciting Times at TVC
As MacNicoll prepares to graduate next semester, she is excited for the future of TVC. She believes the student-run station is special and is on the way to becoming something even bigger.
Thatcher agreed, adding that it was especially encouraging to see underclassmen in the program getting excited and desiring to be more involved with TVC. She said it makes working with them to grow the station’s future even more rewarding.
Thatcher said she owes a lot to those who came before her, including alumna Caroline Mueller (‘24), who helped her as freshman. She hopes to do the same for the next generation of Vols as part of the leadership team at TVC.
Tarwater said there is so much support and belief in the students in the School of Journalism and Media and the work they do at student-media properties like TVC that she doesn’t see why this program cannot become a national leader among universities.
“I’m just so proud of them,” Tarwater said. “They have jumped at every opportunity and ran with it. This is just a special place, and if you have a dream, then it’s supported here.”