MARTIN, TENN., June 26, 2023 – WESTSTAR GRADUATES 33 rd CLASS – The WestStar Leadership

Program graduated its 2023 class Tuesday, June 20, in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom.

A 5:30 p.m. reception was followed by dinner at 6, and the graduation ceremony concluded the program.

Dr. Charley Deal, vice chancellor for university advancement, emceed the annual event. Members of the

graduating class were (back row, l to r) Brandon Orr, James “Pete” Johnson, Clay Cunha, Mack Kail,

Eddie Pruitt, Randy Moffett, Josh Frey, Donnie Walton, Tosh Newman, Sam Hedge, Melvin Martin,

Undrae Johnson, Dr. Kyle Barron, Michael Sargent, Bill Rawls and Larry Smith. (front row, l to r) Tim

York, Hannah Stewart, Tiffany Jones, Pamela Mabry, Laura Suiter, Dr. La Sonya Harris Hall, Christy

Williams, Donna Stines, Kate Bynum, Dr. Versie Hamlett and Marcus Heaston.

Sharing the stage June 7 at the National Museum of African American Music are (from left) NMAAM Community Engagement Manager Byron Howard, who moderated the discussion; Karla Winfrey, a longtime friend and business partner of Henri Giles who co-created and produced the documentary; and Giles.

MARTIN, TENN., June 12, 2023 – BIBBEE NAMED DEAN – Dr. Jeffrey R. Bibbee (pictured) has been named the dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Bibbee most recently served at the University of North Alabama, where he was the university historian in the 2022-23 school year and interim associate dean and associate dean from 2019 to 2022 for the UNA department of history.

MASS MEDIA AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION ALUMNI AWARDS – Dave Parker, radio and digital marketing consultant for Forever Communications in Jackson, and Amy Dysinger McCollom, associate director of project management at Ramsey Solutions, both received alumni awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication. Pictured (l-r) is Dr. Robert Nanney, professor and chair for department of mass media and strategic communication; Parker; McCollom; and Dr. Teresa Collard, professor of mass media and strategic communication.

ADVISORY BOARD MEETS – Art Sparks, UT Martin Advisory Board chair, and Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, the university’s interim chancellor, participate in the summer meeting of the board, May 26, in the Ed and Carolyn Boling University Center. Presentation of the university’s proposed 2023-24 budget, university updates and election of new board members were among the board’s agenda items.