WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.142 --> 00:00:03.278 I wouldn't be where I'm at without Ball State University. 2 00:00:03.278 --> 00:00:06.043 And I say that on two fronts, 3 00:00:06.043 --> 00:00:08.625 line:15% you know I was a major in meteorology 4 00:00:08.625 --> 00:00:10.051 line:15% so obviously the majority of my classes 5 00:00:10.051 --> 00:00:11.801 line:15% were science classes. 6 00:00:12.945 --> 00:00:15.050 line:15% But I've spoke about the exceptional 7 00:00:15.050 --> 00:00:18.358 television communications department 8 00:00:18.358 --> 00:00:21.923 that they have here, I was a minor in t-comm. 9 00:00:21.923 --> 00:00:24.609 And all of those classes were fantastic 10 00:00:24.609 --> 00:00:25.905 and they got me prepared, especially 11 00:00:25.905 --> 00:00:27.998 on the meteorology front. 12 00:00:27.998 --> 00:00:30.998 line:15% Some of the great experiences that I had 13 00:00:30.998 --> 00:00:33.198 line:15% we actually had a class where I got 14 00:00:33.198 --> 00:00:36.345 line:15% credit for stormchasing in the planes for a month. 15 00:00:36.345 --> 00:00:37.758 line:15% We chased tornadoes, 16 00:00:37.758 --> 00:00:40.771 and being able to see what you have learned in the class 17 00:00:40.771 --> 00:00:44.278 and watch it visually form and our professor say, 18 00:00:44.278 --> 00:00:47.491 "see this is why this, this, and this is happening 19 00:00:47.491 --> 00:00:49.505 because of this that we talked about." 20 00:00:49.505 --> 00:00:51.438 and you know you can read it all in textbooks 21 00:00:51.438 --> 00:00:53.958 but to kind of put in perspective. 22 00:00:53.958 --> 00:00:56.571 In a wide open space out there. 23 00:00:56.571 --> 00:00:57.905 With the TV side, 24 00:00:57.905 --> 00:01:00.488 the ability really at any point 25 00:01:02.358 --> 00:01:05.970 line:15% to be able to walk into their beautiful television studio 26 00:01:05.970 --> 00:01:08.553 line:15% that's over there and get reps. 27 00:01:09.638 --> 00:01:11.318 Get in front of the green screen, 28 00:01:11.318 --> 00:01:13.735 practice, practice, practice. 29 00:01:14.583 --> 00:01:16.250 That paid dividends. 30 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:20.299 With weather equipment that is equal 31 00:01:21.347 --> 00:01:24.155 if not better than many TV stations around the country 32 00:01:24.155 --> 00:01:27.167 you are already a step ahead of many 33 00:01:27.167 --> 00:01:30.982 of the students around any other colleges in this country 34 00:01:30.982 --> 00:01:32.982 that don't have that luxury. 35 00:01:32.982 --> 00:01:36.475 line:15% And I was very blessed to be able to have that 36 00:01:36.475 --> 00:01:39.590 line:15% back in 2000, it's even better, 37 00:01:39.590 --> 00:01:41.300 line:15% I'm jealous of all the people that are there now 38 00:01:41.300 --> 00:01:42.726 line:15% because it is a beautiful setup 39 00:01:42.726 --> 00:01:46.875 but that is what we're, Ball State has set 40 00:01:46.875 --> 00:01:50.220 that meteorology program, that communications program up. 41 00:01:50.220 --> 00:01:53.164 That these kids are ready to go, day one, 42 00:01:53.164 --> 00:01:55.513 when they get out of school. 43 00:01:55.513 --> 00:01:58.726 line:15% That's the way I felt, I didn't need much training 44 00:01:58.726 --> 00:02:00.793 line:15% when I got to my first job in Lima, Ohio. 45 00:02:00.793 --> 00:02:03.046 line:15% I think I was there for a day and then 46 00:02:03.046 --> 00:02:04.085 line:15% I was off to the races after that 47 00:02:04.085 --> 00:02:05.739 line:15% and I think Ball State had a lot to do with that 48 00:02:05.739 --> 00:02:10.656 line:15% because of the experience I already had going forward, so.