Name: Chris Hedgepeth

Title of Program: Rhetoric, Poetics, and Politics

E-mail Address: chris.hedgepeth@gmail.com

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Year: Senior

Anticipated Graduation Date: Fall 2009

Description of Program: By uniquely combining the study of political science, journalism, great literature, and rhetoric, my program aims to prepare me for a career in political commentary.

Departmental Emphases: English, Journalism and Electronic Media, Communication Studies, and Political Science

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Russel Hirst, English

Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.): Law School

Other Academic Interests: Western Philosophy, Conservative and Libertarian thought, Christian apologetics, American history

Prior Enrollment at Other Colleges or Universities: Before coming to the University of Tennessee, I was enrolled in the Rising Senior Program at Crichton College.

Study Abroad: None

Research Experiences or Internships: In the summer of 2006, I was honored to intern in the White House Correspondence Office. In the summer of 2007, I worked on a re-election campaign for Senator Merle Flowers of Mississippi, serving as Press Secretary. Last summer I completed a summer research project for the Office of Research studying the news media’s impact on American democracy.

Part-time employment; Hobbies; Campus Clubs/Activities: I am a part-time Starbucks employee.