Journalism, communication students become involved after broadcast stations’ first open house
Ben Stearns, a second-year journalism master’s student, is volunteering at WUFT-FM. (Photo by Steve Johnson) (Click image to enlarge.)
Many University of Florida advertising, journalism and public relations students knew the College of Journalism and Communications’ broadcast stations are there but had no idea how to become involved.
To some, the stations seemed exclusive or intimidating. At least that’s what journalism junior Kathryn Stolarz thought before the UF television and radio stations recently held their first open house for all the College’s students.
The open house tour broke down the barriers for Stolarz and made her want to pursue her broadcast-news interest, she said. She attended a meeting the following week to volunteer at WUFT-TV and hopes to work her way up to anchor.
“I learned that the television studio offers a very friendly and welcoming environment,” Stolarz said. “They are very willing to train you in whatever your interest might be.”
The stations, which recently restructured into the Division of Multimedia Properties, held the open house to encourage more student participation, said Rob Carr, chair of the open house committee and the College’s director of engineering.
“There were a lot of students who came in who did not know where the stations were, and how they are affiliated with the College,” Carr said. “I think the plan to have students become a part of the stations is a real good thing. We have all the opportunity right here that you could have anywhere with the different media properties.”
About 300 students attended the open house. In the past, most student volunteers were telecommunication majors. The committee emphasized participation from students in other disciplines, Carr said.
The open house made the stations seem more accessible, said Ben Stearns, a second-year journalism master’s student. After receiving an e-mail about the event, he attended to look for opportunities to build his portfolio. During the tour, he met Donna Green-Townsend, WUFT-FM executive producer who encouraged him to add multimedia elements to his thesis project.
“It’s made me more open to more electronic modes,” Stearns said. He started volunteering at WUFT-FM the following week.
The stations plan to hold the open house annually or semi-annually.
Telecommunication junior Candace Tossas began volunteering at WUFT-FM immediately after the open house. She filled out an application and trained the same day. For three hours a week, she writes stories for broadcasting and records sound bites.
“Dean [John] Wright wants students to take a more active role in the stations,” Carr said. “When the students leave this college, we want them to be able to step out and be ahead of their counterparts.”
Posted: October 2, 2009
Category: College News
