March 7, 2006 issue

I was hired by WEMU seven years ago, this May, and I'm still amazed every day by how dedicated WEMU's staff is to what they do. The music hosts are so into jazz and blues, and giving that to their listeners. The news guys are all committed, too.

You don't choose public radio to become rich and famous so much as you have a passion for what you're doing. While there is some structure to my job — covering the Board of Regents, the Ann Arbor City Council and School Board, and the Washtenaw County Commissioners — I do have some flexibility. If something big, unique or interesting happens, I'll be there, too.

There are stories at WEMU that, if I was at another station, I couldn't cover. Stories like the last "Monster Jam" at the Pontiac Silverdome and the pinball art show we had on campus last year. Things like that are fun and unique that I like to cover.

Because I cover Eastern Michigan University, I get to meet people all across the campus. I get to see what they're doing and tell the community about it. National and international news is important, but it's what happens on campus or in Ann Arbor or in Ypsilanti that affects people's day-to-day lives. No one else is going to do that. Whatever's happening, I'm there.

When I'm out covering stories in the county, it is so common for me to run into someone who says they are an EMU alum when I mention WEMU. It's great to see there's a connection people have through WEMU back to their University.

 

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