Dr. Jerald Ogg
Jerald Ogg, who will be serving as director of his 25th Tennessee GSH in 2026, is a professor in the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication at UT Martin. A former chair of the UT Martin Department of Communications, dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs and provost/vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ogg holds a Ph.D. in journalism from Southern Illinois University and a law degree (J.D.) from UT Knoxville. He taught journalism and law courses for GSH from 1991-2000.
Prior to joining the faculty at UT Martin, Dr. Ogg served as a judge advocate ("JAG") in the U.S. Air Force and practiced law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Ogg has taught communications law, ethics, news writing, media history, feature and editorial writing, public relations, crisis communication, public speaking and advertising at UT Martin. A recipient of the UT Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award and past president of the UT Martin Faculty Senate, he is also a graduate of both the UT Leadership Institute and WestStar, West Tennessee’s premier leadership development program.
A native of Springfield, Mo., Dr. Ogg retired from the Air Force Reserve at the rank of colonel. He and his wife Jane are the proud parents of Jennifer and Jana and doting grandparents of Boone and Max.
Mr. Steve Vantrease
Mr. Vantrease serves on the Weakley County Board of Education, sits on the boards of directors of various local and regional community service organizations, and is a volunteer and leader in his church. He is a graduate of Leadership Weakley County, the WestStar Leadership program and the UT Leadership Institute. Mr. Vantrease holds memberships in the Tennessee Association of Community Leaders, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Order of Omega, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and Optimist, International.
Mr. Vantrease is married with two daughters, a son-in-law, two grandchildren. His fondest endeavors are that of husband, father, and grandfather.
Ms. Joyanne Gansereit
Ms. Joyanne began her career at UT Martin in 2010 and currently serves as the Coordinator for both theGovernor’s School for the Humanities and the Ned Ray McWherter Institute. An alumna of UT Martin, she earned her B.S. in K-12 Education in 1998. Throughout her tenure, Joyanne has combined her professional expertise in public occasions and program coordination with a genuine heart for serving students and the community.
Outside of her professional roles, Joyanne’s life is anchored by her faith and her family. She and her high school sweetheart, Kurt, have been married for 31 years. They find immense joy in their children: Danielle and husband Eric, and Matthew and wife Andrea. Joyanne is a devoted grandmother to Julia and Eliana and is eagerly anticipating the arrival of granddaughter Ivy Jane in April 2026. When she isn't at the university, she is likely gardening, fishing, tending to her chickens, or cooking for her church family.