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Austin Orr has pursued his passion of photography, videography and digital media over the past six years, beginning as a videographer for the University of Tennessee’s student newspaper, The Daily Beacon. At The Daily Beacon, Orr served in a leadership role, and managed a team of student videographers. 

In 2020, Orr became the creative director for a broadcasting company, Bowman Broadcasting LLC, in middle Tennessee. In this role, Orr produced advertising campaigns for the web and radio. In the following year, he transitioned into a production assistant role with the Office of Information Technology at the University of Tennessee. With the Office of Information Technology, Orr produced educational content for use in online learning at UT.

In 2022, Orr earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication at the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During his undergraduate career, he served on the Provost’s Student Advisory Council, was chapter president of the Communication Association Honors Society, and was a recipient of the Hagan Scholarship. 

Following his graduation, Orr began work as the technology coordinator for the Office of Student Media at UT. As technology coordinator, Orr supported many different student organizations, and helped students to develop their digital media skillset. He led Student Media’s commercial production efforts and launched a grant-funded, partnership with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The partnership continues to provide opportunities for student videographers to gain invaluable experience with industry professionals while creating content for the National Park Service.  

Orr also was instrumental in the production of Student Media’s Red Dead History campaign. The campaign partnered with UT History department faculty Tore Olsson to create commercials and a documentary supporting Olsson’s 2024 novel, Red Dead’s History. The team worked with actors from the hit game, Red Dead Redemption, and publishers from Macmillan Publishing to create content that received millions of views on IGN’s various channels. 

In 2024, Orr earned a master’s degree in digital and strategic communication from the College of Communication and Information at UT. He is set to teach a video production class for the School of Journalism and Media in the spring of 2025. 

Orr now brings his experience and passion for storytelling to the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. He is excited to continue serving students and the UT community in creative and rewarding ways. 

When not at work, Orr can be found enjoying many of Knoxville’s running trails or visiting the great Smoky Mountain National Park. He is also an avid movie-goer with his wife, Lauren. The couple enjoys spending time with family and friends across Tennessee. They also volunteer their time and talent as videographers for their church in Maryville, TN.