Mark Harmon is a professor of Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was elected to a term as a Knox County Commissioner, serving from 2006 to 2010. He has written a book, Crashing the Commission, about that experience. He also has authored an online book about news coverage of antiwar veterans. He is the author of more than 30 research articles and 60 conference presentations. He has worked as a television producer, radio reporter, and newspaper columnist. The International Radio and Television Society Foundation has awarded Harmon with its Frank Stanton Award for distinguished contributions to electronic media education. He also is an active community volunteer in the Big Brothers program.