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Communication Students TourChicago’s Media IndustryBy AKIL LEACOCKMembers of N.C. A&T MediaNetwork traveled to Chicagolast spring to get a firsthandlook at the media industry inone of the country’s leadingmarkets.Fifteen communication students andthree faculty chaperones spent five daystouring television studios and the country’sonly remaining black daily newspaper. Inaddition, the group visited NorthwesternUniversity in Evanston, Ill.One of the first places visited was CBSStudios, where Monroe Anderson gave abrief history of television, explained then ews operation, discussed the role ofminorities in media and allowed studentsto explore the studio’s satellite trucks.Media Network members in front of the Chicago Defenderwith publisher Gene Scott (center).At NBC Studios the group participatedin a taping of the “Jenny Jones Show.”Amzi Jackson, a broadcast pro d u c t i o nmajor, was selected to respond to one of theshow’s guests.WMAQ-TV news anchor Warner Saunders talks to Media Network members, communicationmajors at N.C. A&T, about the television industry during the students’ visitto Chicago last spring.While touring the rest of NBC,Warner Saunders, one of Chicago’s leadingblack anchors, met withthe group and offered tipson new s room pro t o c o l .He also allowed them tosit with him and the newsteam while they were liveon the air.Harpo Studios, homeof Oprah Winfrey’s talkshow, was one of the mostanticipated stops on thetour.“Oprah was great onthe set,” said Pa t r i c eFoust, broadcast new smajor. “The show is tapedin ‘real time’ and she didnot make any mistakes.The only pauses were forcommercials.”The Chicago Defender was the fourthlocation visited. Founded in 1905, theDefender has been a black daily newspapersince 1956. Ret. Col. Eugene F. Scott, publisher,gave a historical overview, explainedthe process of producing a newspaper andshared the frustrations of competing withmajor newspapers.Last on the trip was a visit toNorthwestern University, where studentstoured the sprawling campus and met withacademic advisors who encouraged them topursue graduate studies.“This was one of the most rewardingtrips I have ever taken,” said RaeganMorgan, broadcast news major. “I hope inthe future more students are involved inMedia Network so they, too, can gainthe contacts and insight we gained. Thiswill help us become successful mediaprofessionals.”Other students who traveled toChicago were Jeremicus Aporter, JeremyBa rksdale, Akil Leacock, Vonetta Lilly,Ashley Ma rtin, Yusef Pridgen, Ni c h o l eRose, Royce Sh o c k l e y, Darlene St a t e n ,L a Tasha Tonkins, LaToya Vickers andDesmond Woods. Faculty advisors wereLinda Callahan, Ph.D., Nagatha Tonkinsand Gail Wiggins. ■8 A&T TODAY/FALL 2000