This week, out topic shifts from current professionals we admire to people the we admire who are still rising through the ranks of broadcasting here at Westminster College. The first person who came to mind when I started thinking was Ryan Hitchcock. This year Ryan has dove headlong into all the craziness that the BC department creates, and he’s come out of it doing well on all counts.
The first incident that came to mind was when I was shooting my first story of the year. When the photographer who I had asked to come with me on a shoot stood me up, I asked Ryan if he’d be willing to come along, and he accepted. As it turned out, the shots that he gave me were not only good of their own accord, but were probably better than the first person who shot for me.
He has also lately been taking over the role of technical director for the County Line, a job that is very demanding and fairly unforgiving as well, but he’s taken it on with great skill and is already doing well after only a few weeks in the position. Even if he’s not one of the most recognizable faces on the County Line, I’m pretty sure he’ll play a big role in the future of the show.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Alums
So for this week, I'm going to look at another alum of WC who I respect a lot. He also happens to be related to me as well.
My brother-in-law Jason Kalajainen has in the space of ten years (or so) managed to carve quite a niche for himself in the professional world. After attending Westminster College, Jason went on to get a masters degree in non-profit administration, and he never really stopped from there. One of his first jobs put him into the art world, and he's risen through the ranks rather quickly. Since my sister is an artist herself, it's turned into a family affair. Jason started working for the Ann Arbor Arts Council, and has progressed through to the point where he is now the director of the prestigious Ox-Bow Art Retreat in Saugatuck, MI. Ox-Bow is an extension of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Jason was also recently honored with a Young Alumni Citation by Westminster College.
Despite this amazing work history, I admire and respect Jason for many other reasons. One of these is his work ethic. He pours himself into any project he takes on, and doesn't just stop when it's done. He stops when it's done WELL, and that's something that I'm trying to emulate more often. On another note, as a broadcaster, I also admire his talent at speaking to a crowd as well. He seems to have a knack with speaking, and keeping people's rapt attention, and this is something else I hope to learn as well.
Now, I realize that I may be somewhat biased, since we are related, HOWEVER, there's definitely no question that when I've been stuck on some problem, Jason, on multiple times, has been there to help me figure out exactly how to handle whatever comes my way. I really hope to take what I've learend from him to be a far more effective person in the professional world.
My brother-in-law Jason Kalajainen has in the space of ten years (or so) managed to carve quite a niche for himself in the professional world. After attending Westminster College, Jason went on to get a masters degree in non-profit administration, and he never really stopped from there. One of his first jobs put him into the art world, and he's risen through the ranks rather quickly. Since my sister is an artist herself, it's turned into a family affair. Jason started working for the Ann Arbor Arts Council, and has progressed through to the point where he is now the director of the prestigious Ox-Bow Art Retreat in Saugatuck, MI. Ox-Bow is an extension of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Jason was also recently honored with a Young Alumni Citation by Westminster College.
Despite this amazing work history, I admire and respect Jason for many other reasons. One of these is his work ethic. He pours himself into any project he takes on, and doesn't just stop when it's done. He stops when it's done WELL, and that's something that I'm trying to emulate more often. On another note, as a broadcaster, I also admire his talent at speaking to a crowd as well. He seems to have a knack with speaking, and keeping people's rapt attention, and this is something else I hope to learn as well.
Now, I realize that I may be somewhat biased, since we are related, HOWEVER, there's definitely no question that when I've been stuck on some problem, Jason, on multiple times, has been there to help me figure out exactly how to handle whatever comes my way. I really hope to take what I've learend from him to be a far more effective person in the professional world.
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