Tennessee media entrepreneur Sam Hatcher appointed senior fellow at Andrews Institute

Kim Chaudoin | 

Sam Hatcher, president of MainStreet Media and award-winning journalist for both investigative reporting and editorial writing, has been appointed a senior fellow in the Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership at Lipscomb University. 

Hatcher will be senior fellow for community journalism and civic leadership, a position reflecting the institute’s belief in the crucial role of the media in creating educated, informed civic leaders. He will lead an initiative focused on the increased role that hyper-local and community news organizations play in delivering information necessary for citizens and their leaders to make well-informed decisions. Hatcher also will teach in the Master’s of Civic Leadership program offered by the Andrews Institute.
 
“The timing couldn’t be better to take a critical look at the media and its role in shaping current events,” said Hatcher. “The Andrews Institute continues to forge new paths in civic leadership education and I’m honored and excited to pursue this new initiative.”
 
Andrews Institute Executive Director Linda Peek Schacht said Hatcher brings unique perspective to the Institute.
 
“Sam has worked all over the world covering stories. He’s also a local leader and understands what makes a community thrive. That skill set will make him an invaluable resource for our Master’s class,” she said.
 
Hatcher is a past president of the Tennessee Press Association and a past member of the Associated Press board of directors for Tennessee. He was a U.S. Army National Guard public affairs officer from 1971-2005, reporting from Europe, Latin America and the Middle East over the course of three decades and served as chair of the U.S. Army National Guard Communications Board before retiring with the rank of full colonel in 2005.

As a community leader, Hatcher is a long-time Cumberland University board member, serving as vice chairman for 22 years; chairman of the University Medical Center Hospital board of directors, 2004-present; and is a member of the executive committee of the Cumberland Region Tomorrow board.