The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts School of Literature, Communication, and Culture (LCC) announces its renaming as the School of Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC), effective August 1, 2012. 

The name change implements a recommendation from the most recent five-year program review for LCC that it be rebranded in order to emphasize core disciplines and provide external constituencies with a better sense of the degree emphases.  The new name also underscores the increased prominence of media science and technology in the school’s teaching and research.

“The new name, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, highlights the pervasiveness of media throughout our curricula and research, as well as the importance of media science and technology as a discipline,” said Richard Utz, Chair of LMC. “We are more clearly indicating to students, parents, and employers, as well as the academic community, the knowledge, competencies, and skills encompassed by our programs.”

In concert with the school’s renaming, LMC is preparing to rebadge its undergraduate B.S. degree in Science, Technology, and Culture (STAC) as Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC).  That renaming awaits Board of Regents approval.  The school’s other degrees, the B.S. in Computational Media and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Digital Media will remain unchanged.

LMC continues to engage a wide range of humanities disciplines, including literature, film, theater, performance studies, digital arts, and creative writing.  

LMC Professor Jay Telotte, the departing Interim Chair who oversaw the renaming process, said, "This name change better positions us to take advantage of the rapidly expanding technological and entrepreneurial opportunities in the fields of media and communications.”

In addition to its undergraduate and graduate degree programs, LMC continues to teach foundational communication courses for all Georgia Tech students including first-year English, technical communication, and general humanities classes. 

The name change continues the evolution of one of Georgia Tech’s founding disciplines. LMC traces its origin back to 1888 and the central place of English in the Institute’s early curriculum.  When Georgia Tech opened its doors, English was one of the six subjects taught and required for all students, from “apprentices” through seniors.  In 1898 the Department of English was established and headed by Reverend Charles Lane.  By the 1950s English was part of the General College, later part of the College of Science and Liberal Studies. In 1990 when the Ivan Allen College was founded, it became the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture.