PLANNING FOR GROWTH IN YEARS OF RESTRICTED RESOURCES

entire staff would agree that the Ball Students did a great job.That positive experience with students has since opened up opportunities for “real”experience for future Action 10 News interns. If we feel they are ready, we let themreport, go on air, contribute to our product in any way they can.Some might say it was a risk, but it worked, not only for us, but for the students aswell. It was a wonderful experience—one that we would gladly participate in again.From Tim Pollard: The response from the students who participated in this programhas been overwhelmingly positive. Based on the feedback from WTHI-TV, theopportunity to continue this type of endeavor will increase as the program continues.One could not have asked for better relations between a college department and a “realworld” television news operation.This was a risky undertaking. Not just for the news operation at WTHI-TV, but forthe Department of Telecommunications at Ball State University. If the students hadfloundered under this operation, the chance for another go around would have beensmall. The reputation that the department had nurtured with stations across the stateof Indiana was on the line. Thankfully, due to the quality of students that worked atAction News 10, the program at BSU has only been strengthened.Other stations across the county should take advantage of this type of cooperativeventures. The next generation of news people is out there ready and eager to participatein this types of adventure. As the Broadcasters-In-Residence Program continues, it ishoped that other institutions of higher learning, along with the television stations, willtake advantage of this impressive program.>For more information visit http://www.wthi.com and http://www.tcom.bsu.eduBEA—Educating tomorrow’s electronic media professionals 70