The new Broadcasters-in-Residence Program allows the students to work a normal day in a professional television newsroom as actual reporters or photographers.

"There are no stations in the country that allow students to walk in, grab a camera, pitch story ideas and go out and do the story," said Tim Pollard, assistant professor of telecommunications at Ball State. "This is a very unique situation that showcases the talent level this department has with its students."

The program provides students, faculty members and professionals an opportunity to cooperate in several ventures that will enhance students' professional understanding of the news business.

Ball State faculty members can gain insights to use in their classes, and professionals get a sense of current training occurring in the university's telecommunications program.

A grant from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication makes the program possible and pays for travel, lodging, meals and all other expenses for students to work at WTHI for three days.

Amy Barnette, the student news director for WCRH-TV's "NewsCenter 43" at Ball State, decided which students would have the opportunity to go.

"Most of the students who went were at least sophomores, with the exception of one freshman," she said. "This trip was kind of a reward for the students who work the hardest here."

Pollard said the WTHI experience will expand the skills the students have learned on campus from "NewsCenter 43."

"I believe it validates the approach we take with students who take our classes and work on 'NewsCenter 43,'" he said. "We teach them to be journalists in the truest sense of the word-to be ethical, work hard and be fair in your reporting."

At WTHI, the students had many opportunities to view how a real news team functions.

"The first full day I spent at WTHI, I was sent to help cover Gov. Frank O'Bannon's press conference at the Statehouse," said freshman Jill Crehan. "I got to meet and talk to Gov. O'Bannon and watch how professionals in the field do their job."

The experience also helped students envision their plans for the future.

"I used to work at a TV station, and it was nice to return to the professional world," said sophomore Scott Hums. "Everyone seemed to leave Terre Haute with a better understanding of what they want to do after college."

The telecommunications department hopes to continue offering the opportunity to its students, but the future of the program is up in the air.

"The department and WTHI-TV are working to extend the grant," Pollard said. "There is no word yet on its future. WTHI-TV is very excited about this and wants to continue the relationship."

(Note to Editors: For more information on this story, contact Tim Pollard at tpollard@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1481.)

By Mark Golabek, Student News Writer