Impact Stories
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The Daily Beacon Hosts Biannual Behind the Bylines Event
More than 50 students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Ed Engle Theater on November 1, 2025, for The Daily Beacon’s biannual Behind the Bylines event. This exclusive opportunity offers the community a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it takes to publish the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s student-led, editorially independent newspaper. Caden Dyer, editor-in-chief of The…
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Student’s Creative Idea Leads to On-Set Experience with Food City Commercial
UT Lady Vols Basketball Coach Kim Caldwell (left) with Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations School Student Erin Emmick (right) on the set of a Food City Commercial. When advertising major Erin Emmick enrolled in a creative strategy course this semester, she didn’t realize one of her class projects would land her a speaking…
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Communication Studies Associate Professor Jenny Crowley Recognized for Innovative Research and Dedication to Service
Caption: Associate Professor Jenny Crowley at a networking reception during the 2025 National Communication Association’s Doctoral Honors Seminar in Knoxville. The past year has been a whirlwind of career accolades and leadership opportunities for School of Communication Studies Associate Professor Jenny Crowley, who came to the College of Communication and Information in 2017 and achieved tenure…
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Coming Home to Rocky Top: SIS Alumna Jordan Kaufman Returns as Research Data Librarian
Jordan Kaufman (‘18) has returned to Rocky Top after graduating from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) master’s program in 2018. She is now a research data librarian at Hodges Library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With a passion for data and community service, Kaufman is eager to bring her volunteer spirit back to…
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MSIS Alumna Celebrates Full Circle Moment After Becoming Lead Librarian at the College, Where She Held Her First Higher Education Teaching Role
Sara Beth Coffman (‘23), an alumna of the School of Information Sciences, is fulfilling her dream job as the lead librarian for Information Literacy and Instruction at Chattanooga State Community College. Even before joining a library system, Coffman had a passion for teaching. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Emory & Henry College,…
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From Pigeon Forge to Los Angeles, Tombras School Students Interned Across the Nation this Summer
From the bright lights of Los Angeles to the scenic hills of East Tennessee, Tombras School students are acquiring practical experience in industries that align with their passions and future goals. The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations encourages its students to pursue internships around the world. Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students…
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Associate Professor Minjie Li Wins AEJMC Advertising Division Early Career Teaching Excellence Award
Associate Professor Minjie Li was recognized with the Early Career Teaching Excellence Award from the Advertising Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) at this year’s conference in San Francisco. This award honors outstanding undergraduate teaching and is given to individuals who have completed at least two full academic years…
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SIS Showcases Global Impact at LIDA 2025
The Libraries in the Digital Age (LIDA) conference is an internationally recognized event that celebrated its 25th anniversary this year in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Several faculty members, students, and alumni from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) attended and participated in engaging workshops and presentations at this year’s LIDA conference, which is one of many events…
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Rocky Top Business Award Alumni Feature: Cindy Brewer (’91), Co-Founder of LEO Events
Leo Events was recognized with a Rocky Top Business Award. Pictured from left to right are: Spencer Broocks, VP of Finance, Kevin Brewer, Co-Founder and Partner, Cindy Brewer, Co-Founder and Partner, and David Kenyon, Senior Vice President of Production. College of Communication and Information alumna Cindy Brewer (’91) believes exceptional professional communication is the most…
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Journalism & Media Alumni Team Up to Create Bonnie Hufford Endowment
From left: School of Journalism and Media Professor Emerita Dorothy Bowles; Lisa Hood Skinner (’80), Mack Hufford (Bonnie’s brother), and Fatima Hyder (’94). Bonnie Hufford put her all into what she did, whether she was teaching students proper grammar and Associated Press style or fundraising for the American Cancer Society. Before she passed away after…