After graduating from the University of Tennessee where he served as editor of The Daily Beacon, John Jackson Miller (JEM ’90) set his sights on the stars. 

Specifically, the stars in a galaxy far, far away and the ones in the far-flung future where no man has gone before.

Miller turned his lifelong passion for comic books and science fiction into a career, evolving from a trade publication editor to a creator. Today, he is a New York Times bestselling novelist and comic writer for Star Wars, Star Trek, and many other fantasy licenses and original works in between. … Read more “John Jackson Miller: From Daily Beacon Editor to Star Fantasy Writer”

2020 CCI Experience Diversity Banquet

Civil rights activist, author, and historian Robert Booker received the 2020 CCI Diversity Award at the 12th annual CCI Experience Diversity Banquet on Feb. 21 at Bearden Banquet Hall. Read More

2020 UT Social Media Week
CCI hosted the ninth annual UT Social Media Week, which featured session topics ranging from disinformation in social media to marketing and branding for teams, companies, and community organizations.  Read More

Alumni Q&A – Andy Bowers (CS ’17)

Andy Bowers (CS ’17), social media manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, presented at UT Social Media Week about his NBA team’s … Read more “February 2020”

“By far, two professors left a great impression on me. Dr. Dwight Teeter was an example of what every educator should aspire to be. Loved his students, was passionate about … Read more “CCI 50th Anniversary: Professors Who Made an Impact – Part I”

Watch Triple A, Bar None

Isaac Fowler (JEM ‘18), Tim Morris (JEM ‘18), and Patricia Forrester (Sport Management ‘17) have been nominated for a Midsouth Regional Emmy in the historical documentary category for Triple A, Bar None, a VFL Films production about legendary University of Tennessee swimming and diving coach Ray Bussard.

Bussard coached the Vols from 1968-88 and led the men’s program to its only NCAA team championship in 1978. Triple A, Bar None was created in part to celebrate the 40^th anniversary reunion of the national championship team.

During the 1970s, the Vols developed a tradition … Read more “Alumni Garners Regional Emmy Nomination for UT Swimming Documentary”

Bohan was honored alongside his wife, Linda, in the classroom, surrounded by BOV members, CCI faculty and staff, and university officials. … Read more “Room 316 Named for Advertising Leader David Bohan”

Beverly Banks (BS/JEM ’18) received the White House Correspondents’ Association’s 2019 Deborah Orin Scholarship. She is pursuing a  Master’s of Science in Journalism with a focus on Politics, Policy, and Foreign Affairs at Northwestern University and plans to work as a political correspondent in Washington, D.C. Read more here.
Julia Small (BA/CS ’96), Knoxville Police Department Technical Services Supervisor, was named the 2018 Knoxville Police Department Employee of the Year in April. She and the Technical Services Unit successfully upgraded the KPD analog radio system to digital, the first major change to the communication system in nearly 30 years. Read … Read more “April 2019: Alumni News”

Journalism graduate Jim Sexton (’81) has described his evolving media career as “long and winding,” and that path has led him once again to his hometown and alma mater.
At least for this week.
Sexton is now in his eighth year as vice president of digital for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and is in town for Knoxville’s first hosting of the prestigious Bassmaster Classic, which will be held Friday through Sunday on the Tennessee River. He is in charge of generating and developing content for the organization’s website, mobile, and social platforms.
Rapid changes in technology radically changed … Read more “Alumni Q&A: Jim Sexton”

Tom Ballard (BS/JEM ‘69) was honored by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) with the first-ever Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award. The honor is named after Ballard for his contributions to TAEBC and will be awarded annually for exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening Tennessee’s advanced energy economy. Ballard was a former board member and founding president of TAEBC. Click here for more information about the award and Ballard’s career accomplishments.

Tombras Group Takes Top 10 Social Media Ranking

Charlie Tombras’s (BS/ADPR ’64) company, the Tombras Group, … Read more “February 2019: Alumni News”

He has been called the “Voice of the SEC,” one of the most powerful people in sports media, the “King of the South,” and the “Oprah Winfrey of college football.”
Now, Paul Finebaum can be called a University of Tennessee accomplished alumnus.
The 1978 political science graduate was honored with the Accomplished Alumni Award, which recognizes notable alumni for their success and distinction within their field.
Finebaum, considered the leading sports authority in the South, joined ESPN in 2013. He does a regional radio show from Charlotte, N.C., and appears on a variety of other ESPN shows and outlets, including … Read more “Paul Finebaum '78 Renowned Sports Journalist Honored”

Roston Willis (BS / PR’13) has been selected as one of only eight U.S. college graduates to participate in the 2013 Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET).
“The selection process is quite rigorous and requires even more effort than being admitted to UT,” said Willis.  “I’m very honored to have been selected especially considering the small number of applicants that even make it to the selection interview process.”
The JET program has had over 4,000 participants from forty countries during its twenty-five year existence. After the initial application material is submitted, a small number of applicants are invited to meet … Read more “PR Grad Selected for Prestigious JET Program”