MTSU journalism students boosting promotional, outreach efforts of Honor Flight veterans org [+VIDEO]

Middle Tennessee State University School of Journalism and Strategic Media senior advertising and public relations major Justine Norton, center left, and assistant journalism professor Matthew Taylor, center right, are shown in the studios of WKRN-TV News 2’s studio in Nashville, Tenn., for the station’s “MTSU on 2” segment, where they talked about their work this semester with the Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee, a veterans support organization. Pictured with them are program co-hosts Stephanie Langston, left, and Laura Schweizer, producer. (Submitted photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Students in Middle Tennessee State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media are working with Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee this semester to help the nonprofit reach more veterans and supporters.

Associate professor Matthew Taylor and Justine Norton, a senior advertising and public relations major, appeared Friday, April 10, on WKRN-TV’s “MTSU on 2” segment to discuss the impact of the partnership and what students hope to achieve for Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee.

Twice a year, Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee takes eligible World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans on a free trip to see the war memorials in the nation’s capital. MTSU media students are putting their classroom knowledge to work in an experiential learning environment to help enhance that mission.

“The idea is students get that real-world experience and learn what it’s like to work with a client and use the skills they’ve been learning,” Taylor said, adding, “Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee has been a great partner for us, and it’s a great organization with a great story, and these students are working to amplify and share that story.”

Over the course of the semester, students are working on a campaign book for Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee that focuses on media and event plans, as well as ways to attract more veteran applicants and donations.

“The things they’re doing for Honor Flight are so helpful and are going to make such a difference,” Taylor said.

Taylor said this course is about more than a grade. The overriding emphasis is on providing Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee with ideas the nonprofit can implement and carry out after the semester ends.

Norton said there have been so many experiences working on this project that will stay with her well after the semester is over.

“When we first met with Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee, we asked them what the meaning behind the organization was and what impact it has on the veterans. They told us how these flights can really impact veterans in a way that can heal past trauma and help them get appreciation from that experience, especially if they have a hard time processing it. That really stuck with me and really has carried me on doing this because I believe helping people is important, and Honor Flight has been such a great honor for me,” she said.

The next Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee takes off on Wednesday, May 6. For more information, visit honorflightmidtn.org.

For more information about MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media, visit https://journalism.mtsu.edu/.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)