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Summer program highlights broadcasting studies |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
by LAUREN LAWSON
News Reporter
Thanks to faculty in the department of communication at Appalachian State University, students in the field of broadcasting have a place to shine and attract the attention of potential employers through a week-long summer institute program.
This year, the institute will be held July 14-23. Applications are due by April 2.
Junior public relations major and intern for the college of fine and applied arts Josh T. Jarman said the
institute was established to serve as a farm system to attract, train and create opportunities for future
radio broadcasters.
 Students participating in the inaugural Kellar Radio Farm System Institute traveled to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte to talk with sports broadcasters, including Doug Rice (front, right), president of Performance Racing Network. Special to The Appalachian
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“For many years now broadcasters have said there is no go-to place to find young talent in the broadcast industry,” said Dan V. Hill, director of the Kellar Radio Farm System Institute.
Hill has been in the broadcasting industry for 38 years and came to Appalachian about three years ago.
He introduced the idea of a farm system to Appalachian’s department of communication last year.
“They embraced and loved the idea and so the institute debuted for the first time last year… The
concept is to bring in professionals from the industry to come teach in various areas,” Hill said.
Junior multimedia major Erik F. Donham was part of the institute last year and said the program offered
good insight on how to get in to the radio industry.
“I was very impressed with the caliber of the speakers who flew in from all over, some from New York,
Miami… They were all topnotch,” Donham said.
Hill said when information on the institute was released to the industry it received a lot of publicity.
“We had over 70 broadcasters willing to participate. In the end we selected 20 to come in last year,
including some Appalachian alumni,” he said.
The session lasts 10 days and includes an opportunity for students to be tested for their Radio
Advertising Bureau (RAB) certification.
 Institute director Dan Hill speaks into a microphone in the WASU studio. Photo by Adam Dixon
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Hill said last year 20 students applied for the institute and 17 were accepted into the program. All 17
who participated received their RAB certification.
“This program is definitely a win, win, win situation…for the students, for the university and for the
broadcast industry,” he said.
Jarman said students in the program will learn about sales, programming, management on air work and
other aspects of the industry.
Hill said program participants will spend one day at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte for a session,
as well as get a chance to go around the track at 100 mph.
Hill said this year’s program will accept 25 students and the cost of $275 will cover the program, food,
a Kellar Institute golf shirt, a bag and materials.
Applicants must write a two-page essay explaining why they would be a good candidate for the course,
as well as submit a letter of recommendation.
The program is open to rising juniors, seniors and recent graduates. For more information visit
www.ASUCOM.appstate.edu or contact Hill at 262-7621.
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