She's the on-air image for TTU's television program, but Karen Lykins, TTU News Bureau director, is better known for her behind-the-scenes work publicizing everyone else on campus.

Her outstanding work and her personal contributions beyond the job have earned Lykins the 2007 Outstanding Professional Award. And for once, the story is deservedly about her.

	Karen Lykins

"Karen's tireless commitment to this university is to be commended," says Mark Hutchins, TTU's vice president of University Advancement. "Her relationships with the news media, her skills as a journalist, and her performance as the host of TTU's television broadcasts have earned us valuable recognition. She is most deserving."

Lykins, who joined the university's Public Affairs Office in 1998, works to promote a positive image for the university as a writer and media liaison. Since 2000, she has also hosted and produced "TTU Voices and Views," a public affairs television show featuring guests and programs about the university on WCTE, the Upper Cumberland area's PBS station.

"I can't stress enough how much Karen contributes to the work of our office and the reputation of this university," says Monica Greppin, TTU's Public Affairs director. "Her amazing ability to translate complex, highly technical topics into the most interesting and easy-to-understand news stories has garnered national publicity. But that's only a small part of what she does.

"Karen is one of the most dedicated, professional and committed people I know, and the result of those traits is obvious in her work. Because of her, the university continues to hold an excellent reputation and image in our communities."

Lykins created and designed the university's first interactive Experts Guide for the media, developed recording capabilities to distribute audio sound-bites to radio stations via e-mail, wrote and produced several special project videos, provided voice-over for the university's television commercials, and produced the campus' first video podcast for student recruitment.

Her talent and experience has helped the Public Affairs Office save thousands of dollars by providing broadcast-quality voice and sound productions for the on-hold telephone system and marketing materials. She also serves as an adjunct professor in the journalism program.

Recognized by faculty and staff alike for her dedicated and accomplished efforts, Lykins has earned genuine praise from those with whom she has worked.

"I have worked professionally with Mrs. Lykins for at least five years. During that time, I have come to know her as the most dedicated and accomplished News Bureau director and Public Affairs official," writes Michael Gunter, professor of Political Science who worked with Lykins to arrange interviews with regional, national and international media.

"Repeatedly, she has gone out of her way to help TTU present itself to the state, region, nation and world in the most favorable light. In doing so she has always made the most polite and knowledgeable impression on all those around her."

"She is an exceptional example of collaborative efforts on campus and her job performance must reflect that," says Filomena Palmer, director of the Tennessee Early Intervention Program. "She has a knack for un-complicating effort. She seems to make what I know was difficult to coordinate seem easy."

Lykins' service extends beyond the Public Affairs and university arena as well. Every summer she helps with the Boys' State camp, serving as media director for the American Legion program. For several years she taught the journalism merit badge workshop for the annual Boy Scout Merit Badge University on campus. She helps with fund raising efforts for WCTE-TV, and in the past has served as a publicity volunteer for the Dismas House and Happy Haven Children's Home.

Lykins holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Tennessee and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Memphis, where she was named Outstanding Graduate Student. In 2001, her video series work "TTU Voices and Views" earned a bronze award from the Tennessee College Public Relations Association. In the same year, she also won the Margaret Pitek Ciervo Scholarship to attend a Media Relations Conference in Philadelphia.