Living abroad, Lorna developed a deep appreciation for cultural heritage and how people accessed it through various communication channels. Upon returning to the U.S., Lorna moved to Maryville, Tennessee, close to her Highbridge, Kentucky Appalachian roots. As a Communication Lecturer at the University of Tennessee, she served with honor for 25 years.
Lorna stays up to date in the museum and heritage fields through research, professional development, and teaching college cultural heritage management courses. She conducts relevant field research with the intent to open-source publish in an effort to help small heritage sites and museums.
Currently, Lorna, supported by the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, is a distance learner working on her doctorate at the University of Birmingham, U.K. while working part-time at the Heritage Center.
Education
Master of Cultural Heritage Management: Johns Hopkins University
Master of Communication Studies: University of Tennessee, Summa cum laude
Bachelor of Studio Art, Concentration in Photography and Videography, Minor in Italian: University of Tennessee, Summa cum laude
Honors, Awards
Lorna’s master’s thesis in communication has been downloaded globally over 17,000 times. She has had top papers/presentation awards at various conferences and was an award-winning graphic artist. In 2024, she was honored to receive the Rotarian of the Year award in Knoxville.
Personal Lorna lives in Maryville with her husband, Joe who is retired. Presently, she volunteers for the Rotary Club of Bearden in Knoxville, and the Human Animal Bond in Tennessee.
