Dakota Makres Joins LMU's Office of Public Relations and Marketing

Dakota Makres, of Knoxville, Tennessee, has joined the Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Office of Marketing and Public Relations as assistant director for marketing and public relations.

“Dakota Makres brings boundless enthusiasm to our team,” Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations Kate Reagan said. “An experienced storyteller and journalist, I am excited see him use his many talents to share LMU’s story with the world.”

Makres will work directly with the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) and the School of Engineering in addition to contributing to the global communications efforts for the University. He joins LMU from Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Kentucky, where he served as coordinator of public relations since February 2023.

Makres served as morning anchor on WYMT in Hazard, Kentucky, prior to moving to higher education. From January 2020 until March 2023, he served as anchor and producer of the two-hour morning newscast on WYMT which was viewed in more than 40 counties throughout the region. He also served as weekend evening anchor and reported daily on breaking news and general assignment stories.

Makres earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and electronic media from the University of Tennessee (UT). He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic and digital communication at UT. Makres won first place honors in the Impact Kentucky Broadcasting Awards for his continuing coverage of “The Goose House Saga.” Makres was named to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.