Dr. Jerald Ogg

Jerald Ogg, who will be serving as director of his 22nd Tennessee GSH in 2023, 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 before assuming the role of director.

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, La. 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, he is also a graduate of the UT Leadership Institute, for which he now serves as a faculty facilitator. He is a past president of both the Martin Parent-Teacher Organization and UT Martin Faculty Senate and a graduate of West Tennessee’s WestStar leadership development program.

A native of Springfield, Missouri, and avid fan of both the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, Dr. Ogg retired from the Air Force Reserve at the rank of colonel. He is married to the former Jane Nichols of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and they have two daughters, Jennifer and Jana. They are also the proud grandparents of Boone and Maxwell.

Mr. Steve Vantrease

Steve Vantrease, who serves as assistant director of GSH, is also the director of the Ned Ray McWherter Institute. He has worked with GSH since 1990 and retired from his full-time UT Martin duties after 34 years in student services.

The holder of a B.S. in business administration and M.S. in education administration from UT Martin, Mr. Vantrease serves as chair of the Weakley County School Board and sits on the boards of directors of various local and regional community service organizations.  He is a graduate of the WestStar leadership program and the UT Leadership Institute.

Ms. Lacey Ellis

Lacey Ellis began her career at UT Martin in April 2012 as the newest member of the GSH leadership team before taking on the additional role of administrative assistant for UT Martin’s Honors Programs in September 2015. She joined UT Martin’s Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs in August 2020 as the Dual Enrollment Specialist before returning to GSH to as the Governor's School coordinator in February 2022. In November 2022 she assumed the additional responsibility of serving as coordinator of The Ned Ray McWherter Institute. 

An alumna of UT Martin, Lacey graduated from the College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences in 2011 with a B.S. in middle school education. She and her husband, Travis, find joy in ministering to others and spending time with their three children: Ettalee, 9; Emberson, 7; and Easton, 5.