Article IV, Section F: Committee on Awards, whose function it shall be to determine recipients of the awards authorized by the Executive Committee. The Executive Director shall chair, and all past presidents active in the organization shall serve on the committee. Awards shall be determined by a vote of committee members.

The Communicator of the Year Award

The Communicator of the Year has been given traditionally to any person who, by virtue of service or performance, has contributed substantially to the purposes of communication in Tennessee. Although this person is usually a TCA member, he/she does not have to belong to the association. If enough support exists, Deans or other college officials, as well as governmental officials, may be submitted as appropriate candidates. We invite TCA members to nominate a candidate for this annual award. Other individuals are encouraged to submit additional testimonials for the nominated candidate. A committee of the association, appointed by the President, will select the award winner, based on information you provide through this nomination. The award winner will be formally recognized at the awards luncheon as part of the annual meeting.

Outstanding Communication Educator of the Year Award

Each year, TCA recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to communication education in the state of Tennessee; this recognition is normally awarded to a teaching member of TCA. We invite TCA members to nominate a candidate for this annual award. Other individuals are encouraged to submit additional testimonials for the nominated candidate. A committee of the association, appointed by the President, will select the award winner, based on information you provide through this nomination. The award winner will be formally recognized at the awards luncheon as part of the annual meeting.

Horizon Award

TCA Horizon Award recognizes an emerging leader in the association. The recipient shall be a new member, with 3-5 years of TCA membership, who has demonstrated involvement, service, and dedication to the purpose of TCA. We invite TCA members to nominate a candidate for this annual award. Other individuals are encouraged to submit additional testimonials for the nominated candidate. The award winner will be formally recognized at the awards luncheon as part of the annual meeting.

Dorotha Norton Award

The Dorotha Norton Spirit of Service award is presented to a member who has shown remarkably unselfish service to TCA. We invite TCA members to nominate a candidate for this annual award. Other individuals are encouraged to submit additional testimonials for the nominated candidate.  The award winner will be formally recognized at the awards luncheon as part of the annual meeting.

Past Award Winners

TCA Communicator of the Year

2022 Robert Pratt                              Walters State Community College

09/2021 Janet McCormick                 Middle Tennessee State University

03/2021 Melva Black                           Volunteer State Community College

2019    Michael McDonald                  Volunteer State Community College

2018    Judi Truitt                                TCA Executive Director

2017    Linn Sitler                                Middle Tennessee State University

2016    Ruth Livingston                      Northeast State Community College

2015    Bill Haslam                               Governor of Tennessee

2014    Lori Kissinger                            Middle Tennessee State University

2013    Malcolm McAvoy                      Walters State

2011    Pat Summitt                             UT Knoxville’s Women’s Basketball Coach

2010    Kerry Roehr                              University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2009    Dave Ramsey                            Financial Author/Radio Host

2008    Steve Cohen                             U.S. Representative

2007    Michael J. Shahl                        University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2006    Michael Leff                             University of Memphis

2005    Rep. Steve McDaniel                State Representative

2004    John Campbell                         University of Memphis

2003    Dave Brown                              Memphis Broadcaster

2002    Kay Clark                                  Associate Vice-Chancellor of Community Colleges, TBR

2001    Richard Ranta                           University of Memphis

2000    Michael & Suzanne Osborn       University of Memphis

1999    Steven J. Ross                           University of Memphis

TCA Outstanding Communication Educator of the Year

2022  Christina Hicks-Goldston      Austin Peay State University

9/2021 Kimberly Warren-Cox          Jackson State Community College

3/2021 Scott Christen                       Tennessee Tech University

2019    Jacob Metz                               Tennessee Tech University

2018    Pam Gray                                  Austin Peay State Univeristy

2017    Lori Kissinger                            Middle Tennessee State University

2016    Rick Merritt                              Northeast State University

2015    Teresa Collard                          University of Tennessee – Martin

2014    Debra Jones                             University of Tennessee – Chattanooga

2013    Peg McCree                              Middle Tennessee State University

2012    Pam Gray                                  Austin Peay State University

2011    Steve Ross                                University of Memphis

2010    Steve Beverly                           Union University

2009    Janet McCormick                      Middle Tennessee State University

2008    Donald Page                             Tennessee State University

2007    Michelle Violanti                      University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2006    Len Assante                              Volunteer State Community College

2005    Linda Lyle                                 University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2004    Paul Prill                                  David Lipscomb University

2003    David Warner                           Volunteer State Community College

2002    David Walker                            Middle Tennessee State University

2001    John Campbell                         University of Memphis

2000    Virginia Thigpen                       Volunteer State Community College

1999    Kina Mallard                             Union University

Dorotha Norton Spirit of Service Award

2022 Shaquille Marsh                        Pellissippi State Community College

9/2021 Tracy Nichols                           Austin Peay State University

3/2021 Patrick Richey                          Middle Tennessee State University

2019    Debra Jones                             University of Tennessee — Chattanooga

2018    Malcolm McAvoy                      Walters State Community College

2017    Janet McCormick                      Middle Tennessee State Univerisy

2016    Donald Page                             Tennessee State University

2015    Len Assante                              Volunteer State Community College

2014    Malcolm McAvoy                      Walters State Community College

2013    David Warner                           Volunteer State Community College

2012    Linda Lyle                                 University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2011    Judi Truitt                                Volunteer State Community College

2010    Ralph Hillman                           Middle Tennessee State University

2009    Faye Julian                               University of Tennessee – Knoxville

2008    David Walker                            Middle Tennessee State University

2007    Richard Ranta                           University of Memphis

Horizon Award

2022 Natonya Listach                         Middle Tennessee State University

9/2021 Jessica Morris                           Austin Peay State University

3/2021 Karen Johnson                          Volunteer State Community College

2019    Shaquille Marsh                        Pellissippi State Community College

2018    L’Oreal Stephens                      Middle Tennessee State University

2017    Rob Baron                                Austin Peay State University

2016    Rob Pratt                                  Walter State Community College

2015    Patrick Richey                          Middle Tennessee State University

2014    Elizabeth Stephens                   Middle Tennessee State University

2013    Matthew Lawson                      Walter State Community College