JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 24, 2007 — The media and their influence on society will be the topic for the next Town and Gown series at 51社区 on Thursday nights from Oct. 25-Nov. 29.
The Town and Gown series is an opportunity for community members interested in various topics to attend lectures and participate in discussions in a classroom setting. The classes are free and open to the public.
鈥淭his is a unique opportunity for people in Jackson to have professionals of this quality and caliber talking about the media鈥檚 role in society,鈥� said 51社区 journalism professor Michael Chute. 鈥淗opefully, those who attend will come away with some sense of how those in the media make decisions, as well as an understanding of the shaping influence of the media on society and how they can be involved in the process.鈥�
Scheduled speakers for each week are:
- Oct. 25, Kirby Atkins, character animator and one of the directors of the movie 鈥淛immy Neutron: Boy Genius鈥� and the TV series 鈥�3-2-1 Penguins.鈥� Atkins is a Union alumnus who has been successful in 3-D animated entertainment, and is currently working on an animated feature film with a working budget of $39 million.
- Nov. 1, Brad Grantham, news director of WBBJ-TV in Jackson, and Steve Bowers, of EPlus TV6 in Jackson. Grantham was previously an assignment editor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C., and a producer in New Orleans. Bowers will approach broadcasting from both a radio and cable/broadband perspective.
- Nov. 8, Jeanie Adams-Smith, professor of visual communication at Western Kentucky University. Adams-Smith spent 10 years as photo editor of the Chicago Tribune and has won several top photojournalism awards.
- Nov. 15, Bill Bangham, director of editorial and photography at the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Bangham is a former editor of three national magazines and has worked in more than 70 countries, receiving awards in writing, photography and design in both secular and religious competitions.
- Nov. 29, Gary McCormick, director of public relations for the DIY Network and Fine Living TV Network. McCormick directs the networks鈥� media relations and special events, including DIY鈥檚 partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. He also serves as president of the Public Relations Society of America Foundation.
All classes will run from 6-8 p.m. and will be held in room 44 in the Blasingame Academic Complex. For more information, call (731) 661-6594.