Left to right: Dr. Greg Pitts, director, School of Journalism; Michael Anastasi, executive editor at The Tennessean; and College Dean Ken Paulson at the First Amendment Center at the Seigenthaler Center in Nashville on March 1. The reception not only served to network alumni with the school but also gave the community a chance to welcome Anastasi to the community.
The movers and shakers in the Nashville journalism community were out on Super Tuesday to welcome Michael Anastasi, the new executive editor of The Tennessean, during a reception held at the First Amendment Center in Nashville. The event, sponsored by the College of Media and Entertainment, was a great networking opportunity for the MTSU School of Journalism alumni and faculty as well local professionals.
The School of Journalism works closely with The Tennessean, providing content in exchange for student experience. Student reporting on Tin Pan South, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and the Americana Music Festival are regularly featured in the paper. The college’s most recent venture, Studio M — which stands for media, mobile, millennials and MTSU — focuses on millennials and issues that affect them, especially during the 2016 election. Students report, record, produce and write in partnership with The Tennessean and other Gannett publications.
College Dean Ken Paulson and Journalism Director Greg Pitts welcomed Anastasi and expressed appreciation for the ongoing relationship between the college and the publication. Anastasi shared his desire to continue the partnership and thanked MTSU for the opportunity to meet our alumni and faculty.
Deborah Fisher, current interim director of the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies with scholar and MTSU’s 2016 Scholars Week keynote speaker Bill Ivey.
Colleagues in the local journalism community catch up at the reception: Pat Embry (left), now the communications director for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee with the retired Tennessean editorial page editor, Dwight Lewis.
Michael Anastasi, executive editor of The Tennessean, meets Yuri Cunza, president and CEO of Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, at the MTSU March 1 gathering.
Abby White (left), development director for the College of Media and Entertainment, talks NPT with Beth Curley, president and CEO of Nashville Public Television.