UT Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society Initiates New Members - College of Communication and Information

Twenty-five students from the School of Journalism and Media and the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations were initiated into the UT Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society on May 6. Founded in 1910, KTA is the only national organization honoring scholarship in the fields of journalism, advertising, and public relations.

Friends and family gathered in the Scripps Lab May 6 to celebrate the newest cohort of students to be inducted into the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society chapter.

“We honor these students who demonstrate scholarly dedication at the highest level. Their effort and perseverance have paid off with their initiation into this prestigious society,” said Amy Jo Coffey, director of the School of Journalism and Media.

Founded in 1910 at the University of Missouri, Kappa Tau Alpha is the seventh oldest college honor society in the United States. It is the only national organization honoring scholarship in the fields of journalism, advertising, and public relations.

The UT chapter is named for the late journalism professor Willis Tucker, who set up an endowment to cover the initiation fee for students in the College of Communication and Information.

“The initiation of new members to Kappa Tau Alpha each year signifies the incredible academic work of our students in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) and the School of Journalism and Media,” said Tombras School Interim Director Courtney Childers. “We are so proud of everything these students accomplish in the classroom, given the internship, job, and personal demands they all face. Congrats to all.”

2025 KTA Initiates

Savannah Jerde