by Nick Growall
Contributing writer
The Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association gave out its Outstanding Achievement in Student Broadcasting Awards March 9 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Among several winners from the state’s largest public universities, regional universities, community colleges and private colleges was Southeastern’s own senior broadcasting major Jessica Gann.
Gann received $2,000 from the Mark Rawlings Scholarship, for which she was recognized by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters’ President Vance Harrison.
Along with managing KSSU-FM, SOSU’s on campus radio station, Gann also works with Payne Radio Group as a radio personality and promotions producer. “The scholarship for me means not only how far I’ve come but the support I have from everyone,” said Gann.
Bob Barry Jr., a weeknight sports anchor at NBC affiliate KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, was the keynote speaker at the event. A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Barry is also known for hosting the radio talk show “Sports Morning” on WWLS radio.
Barry advised the broadcasting students in attendance to be willing to take any job. “If you’re new somewhere, and they’re looking for someone to do something, say yes, I can do that,” said Barry
He also urged students to not specialize in their fields, but to “wear as many hats as you can.”
“Don’t complain about how broke you might be,” said Barry while discussing getting started in the business. “Make fun of your problems. The stories from when you are first starting in the business are the ones you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”
Also attending the day’s events were Southeastern senior broadcasting majors Sergio Lopez and Nick Growall, as well as instructor Jeni Maple and office assistant Sandy Bumgarner, who toured the Oklahoma History Center and attended the broadcasting job fair, which took place before the awards festivities and featured news and radio stations from all over Oklahoma and Texas.
“I thought it was an amazing opportunity for broadcasting students in Oklahoma,” said Gann. “Not every student in any field has that kind of opportunity to meet so many interesting people in the industry.”
Lopez found the visit to be both fun and informative. “It was a good opportunity to meet professionals in our field and get some exposure that could lead to something in the future,” said Lopez. “I thought it went well; most of them were from the Oklahoma City and Tulsa area, but I think most people are willing to accommodate and move if it’s beneficial to their career.”
Located across the street from the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma History Center opened in 2005 and preserves the history of Oklahoma from prehistoric Native American tribes to the present day, according to its website at http://www.okhistory.org.
While touring the museum, Lopez, Gann and Growall took advantage of the more hands on parts of the experience. “We took a lot of funny pictures with some of the hands on parts of the museum,” said Lopez. “Overall, it was pretty fun experience.”