Alligood inducted in Journalism Hall of Fame

Alligood accepts his honor

School of Journalism Associate Professor Leon Alligood was inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame on Aug. 15 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.

Alligood, a longtime reporter with The Tennessean and Nashville Banner who served as an embedded reporter in Afghanistan, is with School of Journalism and serves as adviser to Sidelines, the college’s student-run newspaper.

Other inductees included Tom Humphrey, retired Capitol bureau chief for the Knoxville News Sentinel, who covered state politics for almost 40 years; Larry Woody, retired sports writer for The Tennessean and a three-time Tennessee Sports Writer of the Year; and Don Whitehead, who helped break the color barrier as an African-American radio news broadcaster at WLAC-AM in Nashville in the 1960s and 1970s.

Guest speakers included College of Media and Entertainment Dean Ken Paulson and MTSU journalism Professor Larry Burriss. Other speakers were MTSU alumnus Ron Fryar, owner/publisher of the Cannon Courier and immediate past-president of the Tennessee Press Association, and alumnus Whit Adamson, president of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and member of the College’s Wall of Fame,

The Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame is an independent partner with MTSU recognizing individuals who have distinguished themselves through news or business management, leadership in the industry or in the ordinary practice of journalism. Inductees can include reporters, writers, editors, publishers, news directors and other managers as well as those who have excelled in advertising or public relations, journalism advertising and PR education. Inductees may be living or deceased, native Tennesseans or non-natives who spent a substantial part of their career in Tennessee. The Hall of Fame is housed at MTSU. For more information about the hall, visit www.tnjournalismhof.org or contact secretary Hooper Penuel at 615-347-1672.

Leon Alligood (second from right) was inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame in August. There to witness the honor were (left to right): College Associate Dean Zeny Sarabia-Panol, School of Journalism Director Greg Pitts and College Dean Ken Paulson.