June 20, 2026

Nashville photographer joins JMC/GCM

You’ve probably seen his work in Rolling Stone and on country music covers and not realized it.

Ed Rode, whose client list includes icons such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, has brought his camera and talents to Murray State’s JMC/GCM this fall as an adjunct instructor. Rode was hired as a one-year emergency hire.

Rode teaches JMC 304 Multimedia Writing, GCM 250 Fundamentals of Photography, GCM 360 Portrait Photography and JMC 448 Media Enterprises.

Rode has brought new energy to the department. In JMC 304, students are creating short-form journalistic video content using TikTok and Instagram. His Media Enterprises students are creating YouTube channels.

Leigh Wright

Pictured above, right to left: Gretchen Beatty, Jada Poindexter, Charlie Jury, Mackenzie Rogers, Ayden Dick, Dixie Lynn and Natalie Gardner.

2026 Outstanding Seniors Awarded

On April 19, 2026, JMC Department faculty and friends gathered on the first floor of Wilson Hall for the annual celebration of our department’s outstanding seniors, plus several other notable achievements. Department Chair Dr. Kevin Qualls opened the ceremony. Next, each of the Curriculum Coordinators took to the podium to sing the well-deserved praises of […]

Alumni Featured JMC Dept. Uncategorized

I Never Wrote A Slogan – My Journey from Murray State to Spotify

By Megan (Summers) Haneline (ADV ’13) Too many years ago, I was sitting among the cluttered bookcases in Professor Welsch’s office, daydreaming of having my own office someday, when he asked where I saw myself after graduation. I’m sure my answer was something like writing catchy slogans at an ad agency in New York City. […]

Alumni Featured JMC Dept.

The Lisa Crites Story: Broadcast Journalist to Breast Cancer Survivor, Patented Inventor and Author

Lisa Crites began her studies at Murray State in 1985 as a music major scholarship recipient. While expanding her talent as a classical pianist during her freshman year, she was drawn to journalism. “The music department was on the 3rd floor, and journalism was on the 6th, of the same building. Once I began hanging […]