The UT Martin Department of Mass Media And Strategic Communication

06/02/2026

Wondering where a 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐏𝐑 degree can take you?💬📱📊

The possibilities are endless!

Go to 🔗https://www.utm.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/strategic-communication-and-public-relations to learn more!

05/26/2026

MMSC projects go beyond the classroom and make a real impact in the community.

Check out a video created by Chloe Kent (Media Design and Digital Content Production, 2026) for the Weakley County Backpack Program. 🎥

Interested in joining the Media Design Club? Email [email protected]! 🧡💙🤍

05/19/2026

Check out Maddy Kennedy, a Strategic Communication and Public Relations student and host of The Marquee on WUTM (.wutm), hard at work in the station! 🎙️📻

05/13/2026

Help continue the legacy of Stewart “Stewman” Byars! 🎙️

The Stewart Byars Excellence in Radio Production Award honors a beloved radio personality, mentor, and friend by supporting MMSC students pursuing careers in broadcasting.

Each year, this scholarship recognizes a deserving student and helps them take the next step toward their future. Thanks to generous supporters, this award continues to grow.

Donate today to support future broadcasters: 🔗 give.utm.edu

Stewart “Stewman” Byars is remembered for his many talents and sense of humor as a popular Northwest Tennessee radio personality.

Fans knew him best for his work at the Thunderbolt Radio family of stations in Martin and Union City and as co-host of Club Country on West Tennessee PBS WLJT-TV.

But Byars, who lived in Union City, is also remembered as a mentor and friend. Ben Cunningham is among a group of individuals who knew or worked with Byars before he died from cancer in 2008 and still treasure his memory today.

Cunningham and others keep his memory alive through financially supporting the Stewart Byars Excellence in Radio Production Award, which is presented to a University of Tennessee at Martin student during the scholarships, awards and recognition ceremony held each spring by the university’s Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication. This year’s ceremony was held April 9 in the Boling University Center’s Russell Duncan Ballroom.

Cunningham, and his wife, Jamie, both of Troy and both of whom attended UT Martin, were present at the event this year to present a $2,000 scholarship. He credits Byars for fostering his interest in broadcasting during bus rides to Hillcrest Elementary School in Troy when Cunningham was in seventh grade. The driver would tune in the local station for the students to hear as they traveled.

He recalled one morning when another character joined Byars on his show.

“He (the second character was named Lewis) would argue with Stew,” Cunningham recalled. “He was a ne’er-do-well always trying to get something over on Stew and always failing every day. It wasn’t until years later that I found out that voice was also Stew.

“Stew having a two-sided conversation alone in a room by himself, and I was just enthralled at how in the world he was able to do that.”

Fast forward 12 years when Cunningham received his first break in broadcasting at Thunderbolt Radio in Martin where Byars worked, and a 16-year radio career began.

“He (Byars) became my mentor, my colleague, my coworker,” Cunningham said. “He was everything.”

The on-air relationship extended beyond radio into an enduring friendship. Cunningham was known as “Big Ben,” so when the two teamed for remote broadcasts, fans who came out to the events often thought that the larger Byars was “Big Ben,” a mix-up that both found humorous. It was humor that helped to sustain the duo when Byars became seriously ill.

“I went to visit Stew in the hospital when he was sick,” Cunningham said. “At the time, I was thinking about returning and filling in for him until he got well. … So, I went and talked to Stew, and I expected it to be a real somber event because I knew how sick he was, but when I walked in the room, the entertainer in him turned on, and it was laughter the entire time.

“I walked out of that room feeling better about everything. He just refused to let people feel sorry for him. He was always going to be the one to put a smile on somebody’s face, and then he died a few days after that.”

Although Byars’ radio voice was silenced, friends wanted his memory to continue. Misty Menees of Edward Jones, and Chris and Trudy Brinkley with UT Martin, established the memorial scholarship in his name. The first scholarship in the amount of $500 was presented in 2010 to communications student Benita Evans, and the scholarships have continued annually and increased in amount since then.

This was a great beginning, but Byars’ friends wanted to do more.

"I called Richard Robinson (professor of mass media and strategic communication) in March and asked him what was the biggest scholarship that was given annually at Awards Day,” said Menees, who once worked at Thunderbolt Radio. “He told me an amount and I said ‘OK, hang on.’

“A few days later we told him we wanted the Stewart Byars scholarship to be the biggest award of the day and that we would give $2,000. He was ecstatic at what that would mean for his students."

The quick turnaround for the scholarship increase meant that Izzy Burdette of Union City became the first to receive the $2,000 award.

Those supporting the scholarship are some of Byar’s former co-workers at Thunderbolt Radio, including Jared Wilson, Jordan Ti**le, Crystal Oldham, Christie Jenkins, Ben Cunningham and others. Then came Captain’s Challenge, the annual one-day UT Martin fundraiser held in April.

"Captain’s Challenge has been huge for us because we can get the match of whatever we can get donated up to $300 per donor, and that helped us to increase our award," Menees said.

The award reached $1,000 in 2024 and combined with another anonymous supporter’s donation of a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA, the group now has enough guaranteed funding to keep the scholarship continuing well into the future.

"While we still miss our friend, we love that all these years later we can stand up in front of a ballroom full of people and say his name,” Menees said of the annual UTM communication event to honor students. “Helping a deserving student is the icing on the cake."

Others join Menees in her enthusiasm for the scholarship and what it means in remembering Byars.

“He would have been a star in any market that he tried to go to, but we were fortunate to have him here, and he was just a great teacher. … We were forever doing community-related events there at the station and he was always first and foremost at those things every time,” Cunningham said.

Chris Brinkley, longtime voice of UT Martin Skyhawk athletics who spent many years as a Thunderbolt Radio air personality, remembers both the person and his talent that endeared Byars to many.

“Stew was one of the most creative, humorous and gifted individuals that I have ever met. … His humor would make you smile and his zest for life would inspire you to do more,” Brinkley said. “This scholarship helps continue that legacy.”

Ben and Jamie Cunningham wanted this year’s recipient to know more about the man for whom the scholarship is named, so Ben provided Izzy Burdette a page of his personal memories about Byars along with a copy of a radio station studio sketch drawn by Stew. The drawing shows an empty radio announcer’s chair positioned toward an audio board, microphone and other broadcast equipment. It’s the setting in which Byars practiced his craft.

His studio chair might be empty, but the scholarship that bears this name continues, thanks to special friends who assure that Stewart Byars’ legacy lives on.

Anyone can donate online to the Stewart Byars Excellence in Radio Production Award at give.utm.edu.

05/05/2026

What a wonderful event celebrating our talented students, dedicated staff, and inspiring speakers. 🧡💙🤍

UT Martin Mass Media, Strategic Communication Awards Announced

David Snow
Office of University Relations

The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication (MMSC) held its annual Showcase and Awards Ceremony on April 9 in the Duncan Ballroom of the Boling University Center.

The ceremony opened with two MMSC alumni receiving their own awards. Scott Hinshelwood, who graduated in 1997, received the MMSC Distinguished Alumni Award, and Trey Warren, who graduated in 2017, received the MMSC Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Hinshelwood is the director of partner support of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. ALSAC – American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities – is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.

“I moved to Memphis when I was 12, and when I was 15 years old, I was a high school basketball player (at Germantown High School),” he told the audience. “I was going to be in the NBA, but my jump shot wasn’t great, and I also had a sore ankle.

“In May of 1990, I went to the doctor, and they found a tumor in my left ankle, and I became a patient in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I did a year of chemo (therapy) there, and I lost my left leg below the knee. Lucky for me, it didn’t spread, and I got the best care at the best place.”

Hinshelwood said when it came time to look at colleges soon after that, he wanted to leave Memphis and fell in love with UT Martin. He added that he came to UT Martin to become a physical therapist.

“It turns out that science and I were not made for each other,” he said. “I think the communications department had an open house, and I thought about (public relations) at this point. … I made the decision then that my major was going to be PR with an emphasis on communication.”

After the ceremony, Hinshelwood spoke about how his own life experience drove him to work for St. Jude.

“Being a former patient led me to go back and work for the place that saved me,” he said. “I get to raise money for the place that affects kids – covers treatment, travel, housing and food – and I’m just glad to be a part of that.

“When I got to college, I learned more about PR from Dr. (Jerald) Ogg (current professor of mass media and strategic communication), and it was really more people-oriented. I started looking at how companies used PR – both good and bad – and it allowed me to get the job with St. Jude. I love being able to tell the story. From the St. Jude perspective, we get to talk about the premier pediatric cancer hospital in the world. What I learned from (UT Martin) was that it taught me how to listen to other people and how to make sure that what we put out was exactly what we needed to put out.”

Warren, a native of Marietta, Georgia, is the senior client executive for Microsoft in Atlanta. He came to UT Martin as a football player from Marietta High School, playing linebacker for the Skyhawks.
“Atlanta and Martin are, clearly, two different worlds,” he told the audience. “Football is what brought me here, but really, the family that I got here made me stay. I had no plans on staying in Martin. I was playing for one year, and I was out – that’s it – back to Atlanta. When I got here, what I was welcomed with was a lot of people who were invested in me, cared about me and willing to give me a shot.

“Starting here in the communications department, every time I asked a question, I got an answer. I did ask a lot of questions, but I never felt that they were annoyed with me. It became a little family for me, and I really enjoyed my time, and I am eternally grateful.”
Warren remembered that the UT Martin faculty were a major reason that he studied public relations.

“At the time, I had a lot of people who were invested in me,” he said following the awards ceremony. “The public relations department took me in and showed me a different side of media outside of being in front of the camera, so I really gravitated toward that. I found it as a way to tell the story.

“When you’re in public relations, it’s all about controlled chaos, being able to be calm in all situations, and that translates into the business world. When I meet with CEOs (chief executive officers) and CIOs (chief information officers) and have to introduce new concepts – I’m with Microsoft, so AI (artificial intelligence) is new and scary for everybody – I use a lot of skills I knew from PR to control the chaos and tell the story that everybody can be involved and it’s not scary.”

Dr. Robert Nanney, professor of mass media and strategic communication, was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his 25-year service as chair of that department. It was presented by Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch, associate provost and director of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation, and Dr. Tracy Rutledge, the current chair of the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication.
Nanney, who came to UT Martin in 1992, continues as a professor in the department.

Those receiving awards and scholarships in the 2026 MMSC Awards Ceremony were:
Broadcasting
• Stewart Byars Excellence in Radio Production Award: Izzy Burdette, sophomore MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Union City.
• Duke Drumm WCMT Scholarship: Maddy Kennedy, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Seymour.
• Terry and Mitzi Hailey Award: Riley Rushing, senior interdisciplinary studies major (College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences) from Snowmass Village, Colorado.
• Dr. Gary Steinke WUTM Broadcasting Excellence Award: Maddy Kennedy, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Seymour.
• Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Award: Jacob Sullivan, senior MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Huntingdon.
• West Tennessee PBS Scholarship: Christian Bryson, junior geosciences major (meteorology concentration) from Jackson.
• Country Radio Broadcasters Scholarship: Daniel Mancusi, junior MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Martin.
Journalism
• Nanney News Writing Composition Award: Bethany Collins (news/features), senior MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Dresden; Nate Szarzynski (sports), senior MMSC major (journalism and digital communication concentration) from New Lenox, Illinois.
• Wayne Tansil Scholarship: Ethan Tanner, junior MMSC major (journalism and digital communication concentration) from Dover.
• Gail McCutchen Smith Editing Award: Ryleigh Ulen, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Union City.
• Newsroom Designated Hitter Award: Chloe Kent, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Lewisburg.
Media Design
• Media Design Award: Sophia Phillips, sophomore MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Jackson.
• Information Design Excellence Award: Aubrey Abbott, junior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Huntingdon.
• Outstanding Designer Award: Carson Alexander, unconditional graduate, teaching and educational studies major from Martin; Darby Self, junior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Oakland.
• Design Scholar Award: Dylan Sulcer, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Brentwood.
• Narrative Horizons Award: Riley Thompson, junior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Dyersburg.
Public Relations
• Swafford Public Relations Scholarships: Bella Bone, senior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Dresden; Ryleigh Ulen, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Union City.
• Charles Baird Non-Profit PR Scholarship: Lacie Coleman, junior MMSC major (journalism and digital communication concentration) from Dyersburg.
• Dr. Jerald Ogg Scholarship: James Crowell, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Union City.
• Kent Landers Public Relations Scholarship: Dylan Sulcer, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Brentwood.
• University Relations Scholarship: Maddy Kennedy, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Seymour.
Departmental Awards
• Dorotha Norton Scholarship: Ariel Leon, first-year MMSC major (journalism and digital communication concentration) from Dyersburg.
• Dorotha and Robert Norton Scholarship: Lillian Otto, senior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Arrington.
• Nanney-Segebarth Scholarship: James Crowell, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Union City.
• Dr. Gary Steinze Scholarship: Ty Bartlett, first-year MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Cookeville.
• MMSC Department Scholarships: first-year scholarships: Caleb Buchanan, senior at Enlightium Academy from McKenzie; Case Gatlin, senior at Dyer County High School from Newburn; Owen Kreuziger, senior at Huntingdon High School from Huntingdon; sophomore scholarship: Ty Bartlett, first-year MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Cookeville.; junior scholarship: Daniel Mancusi, junior MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Martin; senior scholarship: Maddy Kennedy, junior MMSC major (strategic communication and public relations concentration) from Seymour.
• Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award: Chloe Kent, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Lewisburg.
• MMSC Ambassador Awards: James Crowell, senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Union City; Jayda Disney, conditional graduate, strategic communication major from Troy; Michaela Gallian, conditional graduate, strategic communication major from Waynesboro.
• Outstanding Senior Awards: Katelyn Cohee (broadcasting), senior MMSC major (broadcast and multimedia concentration) from Thompson’s Station; Michaela Gallian (public relations), conditional graduate, strategic communication major from Waynesboro; Chloe Kent (media design), senior MMSC major (media design and digital content concentration) from Lewisburg; Chyler Lee (journalism), senior MMSC major (journalism and digital communications concentration) from Jackson.
For more information about the UT Martin Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication, visit www.utm.edu/mmsc.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).

MMSC AWARDS – Dr. Robert Nanney (center), former chair of the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication, is shown with a plaque presented to him at the 2026 MMSC Awards ceremony April 9. The plaque demonstrates appreciation for his 25 years of service as the chair of the department. He is shown with Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch (left), associate provost and director of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation, and Dr. Tracy Rutledge, current chair of the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication.

05/03/2026

Behind the scenes of graduation yesterday! 🎓📸

Congratulations to all of our graduates—we are so proud of you! 🧡💙🤍

05/02/2026

Congratulations to our 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐂 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬! 🎓🧡💙🤍

We are so proud of this talented and hardworking group of students and can’t wait to see all that they accomplish.

Thank you for choosing—and representing—the MMSC Department!

05/02/2026

MMSC Class of 2026 signing out! 🎓

We are so proud of this incredible group of students and wish you all the best in what’s ahead. Thank you for choosing the MMSC Department!

Congratulations! 🧡💙🤍

🎥: Chloe Kent

05/01/2026

Lauren Davis is the final student to complete 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 (𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐂 𝟒𝟗𝟒) this spring.

During her time in the department, Lauren contributed to The Pacer as a staff writer.

Congratulations, Lauren! We wish you all the best and can’t wait to see what’s next for you. 🎓

05/01/2026

Davion Primm completed 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 (𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐂 𝟒𝟗𝟒) this spring.

During his time in the department, Davion demonstrated strong dedication and a great work ethic.

Congratulations, Davion! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. 🎓