Working at the Library of Congress in February 2018, the students on the Land Grant Films team began to understand that their project—a documentary about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, tied to the milestone of Parton’s giving away her 100 millionth book—was a much bigger deal than they had realized.

“We were there getting our press passes,” remembers Kayli Martin (’21), the film’s assistant producer. “I thought, ‘This is what it’s like to be a professional journalist.’”

Alumna Lexie Little (JEM ’18) placed sixth nationally in the Personality/Profile Writing Competition in the 2019-20 William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program. 

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Kylie Julius recently completed her master’s degree Communication & Information with an emphasis in communication studies. She also earned her undergraduate degree in communication studies at UT. 

During her master’s degree program, she researched interpersonal and organizational conflict, particularly in the effects of workplace bullying. Julius intends to pursue a doctorate in the future and teach in a university setting.  

Why did you choose Tennessee and the CCI program for your master’s degree?

A native of Midland, Michigan, Diane Carr is completing her master’s degree in Communication & Information this summer with an emphasis in communication studies. She received her bachelor’s degree in human resources at Michigan State University and later joined the Peace Corps. 

She began working at UT’s College of Nursing as a research information specialist in 2016, which rekindled her longtime interest in pursuing a master’s degree. She wants to continue working in communications and has a passion for environmental conservation and helping those less fortunate. 

Why did you choose Tennessee and the CCI program for your master’s degree? 

Students in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media and members of UT student media earned eight awards from the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters and Media Editors’ 2019 college contest, which were announced in April.

Tennessee students earned three first place honors for their work in investigative features, television reporting, and graphic design.

Students from the College of Communication and Information received 48 accolades from the 2020 Chancellor’s Honors Banquet. 

Though the awards ceremony was canceled this year, the annual spring program honors students, faculty, and staff on the University of Tennessee campus for professional and academic achievement, as well as community service. 

Below are the CCI award winners:

Extraordinary Community Service

Mary Logan Yancy

When spring semester classes moved online after spring break, School of Journalism and Electronic Media lecturer Melissa Greene-Blye was not sure about the future of UT Today.

Fifteen students from the School of Advertising and Public Relations and a graphic design major earned 24 honors at the Knoxville American Advertising Federation (AAF) awards.

Senior Kara Wegner earned a Gold Addy Award for her work on Land of Ice and Fire and a Silver Addy Award for Indelible Faces. Graphic design major Ndigi Gichingiri took home a Gold Addy for Burnt Out. Sarah Melancon and Hanna Dice both earned Silver Addys.

The Library That Dolly Built, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, student-driven film and documentary about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, will premiere April 2 in New York City and be screened in theaters across the nation.

Associate Professor of Journalism and Electronic Media Nick Geidner is the director and producer of the film, which was crewed by 15 student members of Land Grant Films, an Emmy-nominated documentary production program housed in UT’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media. JEM video production specialist Clinton Elmore served as the film’s editor.

This January, students from the School of Advertising and Public Relations and School and Journalism and Electronic Media traveled to New York City to get an insider’s view of the industry. In February, the Communications Studies club ventured to D.C. to learn more about professional opportunities with a Communication Studies degree.

They were hosted by CCI alums and given the opportunity to further their knowledge outside the classroom. Three students, Laken Wright, Savannah Smith, and Hannah Dimon, gave a first-hand account of the trips.

Laken Wright (Advertising)