A home far away from home

By Ivy Wen ivy.wen@marquette.edu

As an international student who did not come home for four years, the Marquette Wire became a home far away from home to make friends, practice directing skills and help me achieve my dream of being an international director. When I first came to Marquette, I was ignorant, but now I am about to graduate and my eyes are full of reluctance. I used to think four years was a long time, and we still have a lot of time, but we only have a few weeks left now. I still don’t know how to say goodbye to the place where I stayed for four years.

I still remember the first time I came to MUTV; I fell in love with the fancy technologies in the control room and signed up to volunteer in the teleprompter position. During the rehearsal, the anchor said, “That’s way too fast; slow down!” I felt like I did a terrible job and found it hard to do the teleprompter. After the first time I volunteered, I didn’t sign up to volunteer for a couple of weeks because I didn’t want to hold everyone back and make mistakes. Former production directors Julia Jarman and Maize Baldus asked me, encouraged me to return and told me I was doing great. I came back to volunteer again. Practice makes perfect. I did a better job than my first time, it was not perfect, but it was better. Trying and practicing are the first steps of learning.

In my sophomore year, I nervously applied for the position

By Jackson Gross jackson.gross@marquette.edu

of production assistant director. After applying, I thought I would not get the offer because my English is not good, and so many people are better than me. However, I was pleasantly surprised to get the offer. I appreciated this opportunity and wanted to do as many things as possible in this position. Then I become the only international student in MUTV.

In my junior year, Mazie encouraged me to direct a sports show. My first thought was no because my English was not good, and I didn’t think I had enough knowledge and experience to direct a show. Other production members, Richie and Caroline, supported me and told me to try directing a show. I felt nervous, but Mazie sat next to me during rehearsals and live broadcasts and encouraged me, telling me that I did a good job and that this was the beginning of my directorial journey. After the first time directing a show, I saw many shortcomings in myself and felt that I was still far from my dream of becoming a director. In my senior year, I felt more confident about every production role I was doing since I stayed on this team for almost four years. I can also teach Luke everything I know and let other people find a home that I found before.

Richie encouraged me to direct Marquette Lately, and I did it. I have more and more experience in directing, and I have become more confident.

My growth and experiences were not smooth sailing, but I am grateful to the Marquette Wire for letting me feel everything is much better than I imagined. I can’t imagine how I would spend every night if I didn’t join MUTV. I didn’t have a chance to return home because of the pandemic, and I miss my family so much, but I am grateful to Marquette Wire for giving me the feeling of home. Thanks for so many opportunities here to let me become a better version of myself; thanks for taking a chance on me even if I didn’t know anything initially. Thanks to everyone who supported and encouraged me over the past four years.

Along the way

It’s incredible to think that I began my Marquette Wire journey all way back in August 2019. So much has changed since then.

I had no idea as a freelance writer and volunteer for Marquette University Television where this wonderful place would take me.

From places as big as New York City and Minneapolis, to small towns like Uncasville, Connecticut. I’ve ventured to places in Milwaukee that I never would have without being here.

I have been able to go to some amazing sporting events in my time here with the Wire. Broadcasting the first Big East tournament title for the Marquette men’s basketball team, covering the first Sweet 16 run for volleyball since 2018 and the best season in Marquette women’s lacrosse history. However, it all would have been meaningless without the people I’ve met along the way. They are the ones who have truly made this part of my life truly memorable.

Wire Executive Director Andrew Amouzou has truly been one of the best friends I could have asked for. From talking sports in the halls, to our NBA 2K battles to having conversations about what it’s meant to live the last four years. I am truly grateful to have met him. #MSLBrosforLife.

Everyone I have met on this path has made me a better person or professional in some way and I truly thank them all for everything we have went through together.

College has been hard for me, missing out on a year and a half of being on campus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, it was because of my family from home and the family I had here at the Wire that I was able get through it all. The constant support from both areas of my life have gotten me through breakups, being sick for days, last minute deadlines and so much more.

I hate to be leaving after all the time we have all had together. I really started to feel at home here with you all.

However, I know that our friendships will go beyond the newsroom at Johnston Hall. Thank you to everyone in my life making the past four years some of the best of my life.