October 2010 Vol. 5, No. 2
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Mina completes competitive internship with FOX News This summer, Amy Mina had the opportunity to apply knowledge from her classes at Waynesburg to her internship with FOX News in New York.
T
he opportunity to work alongside the best in the business seems improbable to many students
aspiring to be executive producers in the television news business. For Amy Mina, however, a quiet confidence and the technical skills necessary to succeed in the industry assisted her through the process of applying and securing a prestigious internship with FOX News in New York.
Mina, a senior communication major
at Waynesburg University, spent her summer internship receiving handson experience in the largest television
has covered some of the most significant
where she thought, “I can do this
market in the country.
business stories in the nation.
because I learned it at Waynesburg
accomplishment came in the form of
University.”
positive feedback and constructive criticism.
“The hands-on education I received
“Having the opportunity to watch
Mina’s greatest sense of
from Waynesburg was essential in both
the best in the business do what I hope
securing the internship and excelling
to do was the most rewarding part of my
she said. “I realized that the production
at it once I got there,” she said. “The
internship experience,” she said.
process in college is the same as the
learn from talented people, and even
countless hours spent working WCTV
production process at the network level.
more amazing to hear my producer say, ‘I
productions translated into an edge
a seminar featuring Roger Ailes,
I learned tricks-of-the-trade and ways
love it. I wouldn’t change a thing,’ when
over the competition. Without it, I
president of Fox News Channel and
to streamline the process, but I was
talking about my work.”
know I wouldn’t have been selected
chairman of the Fox Television Stations
so relieved that the things I learned at
for this internship. I felt very prepared
Group.
Waynesburg mirror the real world.”
for broadcast news, allowing her to
because of all the practical skills I gained
rest assured in the decisions she has
producing, scripting and crewing WCTV
story, and to glean real-world knowledge
allowed her to expand her resume to
made while a student at Waynesburg
productions.”
from one of the biggest media icons,”
include hands-on experience in the field.
University.
Mina said.
assignment — working for Neil Cavuto,
Tasked with a number of
and software specific to television news,
my career goals into focus. I definitely
senior vice president of FOX’s Business
responsibilities throughout her
but I’ve gained a better understanding of
left my internship experience with a
News. Mina was assigned to Cavuto’s
internship, Mina created banners, cut
how a network operates and how shows
fueled passion for the television news
show, “Cavuto,” on the FOX Business
video, made graphics, booked cars for
are produced,” she said. “I’ve even had
business,” she said. “The experience
Network.
guests, researched story ideas and put
my material critiqued by producers and
taught me that hands-on experience is
together research packets for Cavuto.
published on the website. It’s been an
more important than what you read out
incredible experience!”
of a book.”
Even more notable is Mina’s
Often referred to as “the best
interviewer in broadcast news,” Cavuto
In addition to Cavuto, Mina attended
“We had the opportunity to hear his
Mina said she had many moments
“I actually felt that way every day,”
The internship, according to Mina,
“Not only have I learned programs
“It was amazing to work with and
The internship ignited Mina’s passion
“The experience has really brought
WCYJ-FM moves the dial forward with frequency change
W
aynesburg University’s
campus community.
station to become more accessible by
student-run radio station
the local audience.
and library changes, allowing students
WCYJ-FM has recently
to gain technical skills related to the
“Our students produce a high-quality
product, and for that reason we wanted
undergone significant changes including
to make it available for as many people
which will allow listeners to tune in
production of radio spots that include
a frequency change allowed by the
as possible,” he said. “Stabilizing the
from a larger radius. The station has
the station’s call letters and frequency.
Federal Communications Committee.
transmission capacity by providing a
also been updated with a new antenna,
The frequency change from 88.7 to 99.5
more up-to-date tower will allow for the
transmitter and on-air board.
of communication and special assistant
megahertz provides a clearer sound
increase in reach.”
to University Relations at Waynesburg
quality. The station, which had been
functional professional radio station
University, serves as the WCYJ-FM
off the air for several weeks in August
Hive, “Your Home for Everything
with up-to-date equipment,” said Emily
faculty advisor.
to accomplish the alterations, began re-
Waynesburg.”
Ellis, a senior electronic media major
broadcasting Wednesday, Sept. 1.
and general manager of WCYJ-FM.
Roy Barnhart, senior vice president
WCYJ-FM became 99.5 The
Dr. Robert Graham, Waynesburg
The station will operate at 10 watts
The update requires many production
“The station is comparable to a fully
University Provost, said the increase
“Students will benefit from hands-on
for finance and administration, said the
in power provides the University with
experience similar to what they would
benefit of the change goes beyond the
a middle-range frequency, allowing the
expect in the real world.”
Lanny Frattare, assistant professor