Media Alumni

Give to Media 

Gifts to Media directly benefit Media students. You can contribute to scholarships awarded annually at our banquet, or support funds that provide immersive learning experiences, finance award submissions, buy and repair equipment, maintain facilities, fund student travel, and help us host industry experts on-campus. 

Give Now

Many of our alumni work in television, film, and radio, but you’ll also find them in technology companies, universities, professional sports organizations, governments and municipalities, and even agriculture. Some move West. Some move East. Many choose to stay close and help Indiana’s economy grow. 

Most people recognize Media alumnus David Letterman from his late night TV career or his popular Netflix series. One of our buildings is even named in his honor. You may also be familiar with Jay Williams, founder of Legion Creative Group and former senior vice president of creative content for Walt Disney Co. and Disneyland Resort. Or perhaps you’ve watched NBC’s “Hollywood Game Night” or SyFy’s “Face Off,” among shows produced by Dwight D. Smith’s company, Mission Control Media. 

No matter where they live, we’ve found our alumni to be generous with their time and talents. They return often to campus as guest speakers, serve as departmental curriculum advisors, and seek out current students for internships and new grads for open positions. 

Media Alumni Society 

The goal of the Media Alumni Society is to support the programs, students, and alumni of the Department of Media through professional development programming, alumni social and networking events; and to advise the department on industry matters. 

Since its inception, the Media Alumni Society has sponsored the annual Media Student Etiquette Dinner, held Zoom mentoring sessions with students, revitalized the annual alumni award, hosted virtual alumni meet-ups, and produced multiple episodes of Cardinal Control Room, a YouTube series featuring media industry-related conversations by and for Ball State Media Alumni. 

Want to join us? The Media Alumni Society meets quarterly on Zoom and annually on-campus at Homecoming. To join or get more information, contact the department.

Meet the Executive Board
Dottie Kreps

Dottie Kreps

President

Production ’97, CICS ‘98

Dottie Kreps is the Community Engagement Specialist for Muncie Public Library where she serves as the outreach coordinator, oversees fundraising activities, writes grants and assists the PR department. Previously she spent 25 years in public media as a senior producer/director/editor with WIPB-TV, producing award winning local programs, live broadcasts, documentaries and specials. During her time at Ball State, she served as a mentor to TCOM and Media students. Dottie volunteers in the Muncie community, serving on the boards of the Delaware County Master Gardeners and the Soup Kitchen of Muncie and is a 4-H leader.

Jeremy Fliss

Jeremy Fliss

Vice President

Production ‘97

Jeremy Fliss is a seasoned event production expert with a strong technical foundation and creative leadership experience. His expertise spans video systems, LED content, and large-scale live events. Jeremy is currently working as a Screens Producer and content creator for corporate, sports, and special events in Indianapolis.

Kelly Bertelson

Kelly Bertelson

Secretary

Production ‘01

Kelly (Skiver) Bertelson, originally from Greenwood, Indiana, has worked in film marketing for 20+ years producing and managing film campaigns for major studios. For the past 9 years, she has been working for SunnyBoy Entertainment which creates storytelling and cinematic visuals for original and branded content including behind-the-scenes, A/V, social, digital, interactive and production services around the globe for major studios and brands. She started at SunnyBoy as a producer shifting into operations as the company grew. Kelly currently serves as SunnyBoy’s Director of Operations. After living in Los Angeles for 22 years, Kelly and her husband moved to Atlanta and continue to work in the booming film industry there. Kelly loves a well-crafted excel spreadsheet, hiking and being outdoors.

Nathan Wilson

Nathan K. Wilson

Treasurer

Production ‘15

 Nathan Wilson moved to Los Angeles in 2016 and began his career in reality television working on shows in “The Bachelor” franchise. Starting as a production assistant, Nathan worked his way up to field manager overseeing the main LA location and the Rose locations all over the world. Nathan also worked on “American Ninja Warrior” and helped produce a special for “Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back.” In 2020, Nathan moved back to Indiana and worked remotely as a production coordinator on shows for HGTV, DIY, and Magnolia Networks. In 2023, Nathan received one of Ball State’s G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) awards. In his free time, he consults on media projects and works for The Masters on their quality control team. Along with being a current member of the Department of Media Alumni Executive Board, Nathan serves as a guest speaker for Media classes and serves as an Executive At-Large on Ball State’s Young Alumni Council. He is also an associate member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the Producers Peer Group. Nathan is married to a fellow Ball State Cardinal, Victoria Wilson (‘16). They have one son, Eli and reside in Elwood, Indiana where Nathan works as a Firefighter/EMT.

The Ball State Media Impact Award, formerly TCOM Alumnus of the Year, recognizes outstanding graduates of Ball State University’s Department of Media who have made a lasting impact in their community, exhibited a commitment to advancing the media field, or served as exemplary ambassador for Ball State University. Typically, nominees are alumni of the Department of Media (formerly TCOM), but could include department faculty, staff, and friends. 

Award Criteria

  • Professional Achievement: Candidates are evaluated based on their notable achievements and contributions to the media industry. This can include accomplishments in journalism, broadcasting, filmmaking, digital media, public relations, advertising, or related fields.
  • Impact and Influence: The candidate's work should demonstrate a significant impact on their profession, community, or society through their media-related activities.
  • Innovation and Creativity: Awards may recognize individuals who have shown exceptional creativity, innovation, and leadership in their media endeavors.
  • Professional Recognition: Candidates may be required to have received recognition or awards from professional organizations, industry peers, or media outlets.
  • Contributions to Education or Mentorship: Some awards may consider candidates who have made significant contributions to media education, mentorship of students or professionals, or advocacy for media-related causes.
  • Ethical Standards: Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to ethical standards and practices in the media industry.
  • Service to the Community: Awards may also consider candidates who have shown a commitment to serving their communities through media-related initiatives or projects.

Nomination Process

Nominations for this award may come from anyone, but self-nominations are not accepted. The 2026 award nominations are open until December 31, 2025. The nomination form is here. Nominators are asked to share the nominee's name, contact information, and graduation year. Nominations should include a detailed description of the nominee's achievements and contributions to the media industry, along with any supporting materials such as portfolios, articles, or testimonials.

Selection Process

After the nomination deadline, the awards committee will review all submitted nominations and supporting materials. They will assess each nominee based on the awards criteria and determine a list of finalists. Finalists will be notified of their selection and may be asked to provide additional information, participate in interviews or presentations, or submit updated materials for further evaluation. Based on the finalist evaluations and any additional assessments, the award committee will select the recipient or recipients of the Alumni Media Award. The number of awards presented each year will depend on the quality and quantity of nominations received. Typically, up to three recipients may be selected annually. The University will complete a background check on all award recipients before the award is announced.

Questions?

Contact the Department of Media.

Want to recruit Ball State students? 

Check out the Career Center’s recruiting resources.

Connect With Us

 

Get Connected
Let us know what you’ve been up to! Email us (mail to: askbsumedia@bsu.edu), or submit your story to CCIM Digest, the College of Communication, Information, and Media’s blog.

Have a job or internship you’d like to share? Email our internship coordinator to reach just Media majors, or contact the Career Center to recruit all Ball State students. 

And check out the Indiana Connection Lounge inside the Career Center. Unique to Ball State, the intimate lounge hosts alumni, employers and students, helping facilitate one-on-one and small-group introductions. It’s a more intentional and strategic approach to career development and building social capital, all against a backdrop of comfortable furniture, a coffee bar with refreshments, and the latest technology.