WCU Communication students visited WLOS News 13 on Wednesday, March 29. Students toured the station and got a behind-the-scenes look at production.
Hayden Huffman, President of WCU’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society (PRSSA) is ecstatic to be able to bring this opportunity to students as him and his advisor, Dr. Scott Eldridge have been looking forward to it since the beginning of the semester.
“I really want people to understand the reality of a TV station. There’s 24 hour workdays. I mean, its really a nonstop flow of information. And that can scare people. But seeing how it is ran, how there’s a collective of people coming together to bring news to everyone. Its a beautiful thing. Its something that everyone, I think can benefit from,” says Huffman.
During the tour, students met Brian Nemitz, News Director, who joined students in the conference room for an hour. Students asked Nemitz questions regarding career paths, advice for soon-to-be graduates, and internship opportunities.
Communication students studying Public Relations, Broadcasting, and Journalism were in attendance.
“It was an inspiring experience,” says Marlie Sullivan, a communication student focusing in public relations. Sullivan attended the tour because of her general interest in Journalism.
“I have always had an interest in news media and what happens behind the scenes,” Sullivan said.
Students also met Ty Russell, evening news anchor, and Jason Boyer, Chief meteorologist. Boyer shared his love for the job and free coffee.
Estee Felten, Digital Sales Manager at Sinclair Broadcast Group, guided the tour and explained how production works before the 5 p.m. broadcast.
Alongside Felten is WCU alumni, Drew Farris, serving as the Digital Sales Coordinator at Sinclair Broadcast Group. Farris assisted with the explanation of departments and students’ questions.
Students entering the studio. 
Ty Russell and a colleague discussing points before the 5 p.m. show. Photo by Madison Pait 
Students checking out the seating area in the studio. Photo by Madison Pait 
Area of studio where weather is reported. Pictured is Ty Russell and colleague. Photo by Madison Pait 
PRSSA President, Hayden Huffman, learning how meteorologists broadcast weather. Photo by Madison Pait 
Engineer production room. Photo by Madison Pait 
Felton explaining areas of the production control room to students. Photo by Madison Pait 
Production control room. Photo by Madison Pait 
Conference room where Brian Nemitz joined students for a discussion. Photo by Madison Pait 
News room where journalists prepare and update stories. Photo by Madison Pait
“I think it was a great opportunity. As a senior that is about to go into the workplace and trying to figure out what she wants to do, I’m looking forward to expand my opportunities with WLOS,” said Saydie Bean, a journalism student and editor-in-chief of The Western Carolina Journalist.
Huffman says he has a new found respect for the TV station, as it turned out to not be as chaotic as portrayed in movies.
“You visualize a news station as being this jumble of papers and throwing things everywhere. It’s chaos, right. And so I think seeing how it’s ran here at WLOS really helped me out to visualize a new perspective,” says Huffman.
