CCI
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Tombras School Hosts Inaugural Showcase Highlighting Student Work, Faculty Research, and Industry Connections
The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations welcomed more than 100 students, alumni, faculty, and community partners to its first-ever Tombras School Showcase, an event designed to bring classroom learning to life and strengthen connections between the school and the industries it serves. The showcase featured student presentations, faculty research highlights, and an alumni…
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From Classroom to Career: Jonah Freedman Builds a Brand on and off the Track
As graduation approaches, Jonah Freedman reflects on a college experience defined by momentum both in the classroom and on the track. A public relations major in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, Freedman spent the past four years not only earning his degree but also building a personal brand as a professional racer,…
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From Memphis to the Smithsonian: Paul Springer Jr. Bridges Public History and Information Sciences
For Paul Springer Jr., the path to a career in libraries and public history has been anything but linear, but every step has reinforced his commitment to preserving and expanding access to knowledge. Springer, who is graduating with his Master of Science in Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is also serving as…
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Inspiring Generations Through Sports Storytelling: Allie Campbell’s Journey from Neyland Stadium to the Sidelines
When Neyland Stadium roared to life during the electric 2022 football season at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Allie Campbell discovered more than just the thrill of Vol nation—she found her calling. “I wasn’t a huge sports fan before coming to Tennessee,” Campbell said. “But being in that environment and seeing the community come together…
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The Orange Room: Building the Future of Agency Experience at Tennessee
The Orange Room is more than a student organization—it is a living, working agency built by students, for students, with real clients and real impact at the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. The agency is giving students real-world experience and helping them prepare for life after graduation, a strategic goal of the College of Communication and…
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Thura Mack Celebrates 45 Years of Impact at UT
For Professor Thura Mack (’86), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is more than a workplace; it is the foundation of a 45-year journey defined by growth, service, and a deep commitment to students. An alumna of the School of Information Sciences, Mack’s path to UT began with a simple recommendation that would shape the course…
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From Milan to March Madness: How Alex Carpenter’s Paralympic Reporting Crossed Continents to His Grandfather’s Hands
Alex Carpenter’s phone buzzed the morning after he returned from Italy. A text from his grandfather in South Florida lit up the screen: a photo of a USA TODAY sports page beside a March Madness bracket. Under the headline, his grandfather had circled one detail—Alex’s byline. Carpenter hadn’t known how far his stories would travel…
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From Rocky Top to Knox News 40 Under 40: How J&M Alumnus Julian Wright Built a Career Beyond the Newsroom
When Julian Wright (’16) was named to the 2025 Knoxville 40 Under 40 list by Knox News earlier this year, the recognition honored more than his success as a DJ and entrepreneur—it highlighted how earning a major from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville from the School of Journalism and Media (J&M) prepares graduates to lead,…
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A Student-Led Project with Real Impact: The Future of Human-Robot Interaction
As social robots and AI systems become more integrated into educational, professional, and daily environments, understanding those nuances will only grow more critical. In the School of Information Sciences, robotics research is not just about machines—it is about people. Three School of Information Sciences students have been working with Assistant Professor Jiangen He, examining how…
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Carrying the Torch: Morgan Vance and the Next Chapter of the Pat Summitt Foundation
Knoxville native Morgan Vance (’12) grew up believing her dreams were always within reach, thanks to the strong women role models lighting the way across the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and beyond. Today, Vance is doing her part to ensure others remember the legacies of those women while inspiring the next generation to create their…