features

Learning to pivot and take the jump: AUM’s communication specialist shares her story of stories

Learning to pivot and take the jump: AUM’s communication specialist shares her story of stories

photo courtesy of Jessica Lewis on pexels.com By: Jennifer Tolbert MONTGOMERY, Ala. — From being a small-town city hall reporter to being a communication specialist at Auburn University at Montgomery and a career spanning over 20 years, Adrienne Nettles has first-hand experience in what it means to grow in your career. Her profession has given her plenty of opportunities and the ability to learn. Such as the rise in a demanding digital world. In high school in Mobile Nettles knew she had a love for writing, and she set her sights on attending a local university, Spring Hill College, to…
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Reporters, reality and robots: Carrington Cole and the future of news

Reporters, reality and robots: Carrington Cole and the future of news

By: Dezzy Crumpler AUM Audio · WAKA reporter Carrington Cole is interviewed by AUM senior Destannie Crumpler MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The week before Carrington Cole was supposed to start working with Marvel Studios in 2020, the world shut down. “The week before I was supposed to start, COVID hit the U.S,” she said. That sudden pause sent her back to Montgomery, where she traded Hollywood dreams for something unexpected: learning to report the news for WAKA in her hometown. Carrington Cole is shown at this year's Alabama Broadcast Association conference in Birmingham. Her journey is more than just a career…
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For the love of the game: How Stephen Gunter went from reading stats to reporting stats

For the love of the game: How Stephen Gunter went from reading stats to reporting stats

Stephen Gunter filming warmups of an exhibition basketball game between AUM and Auburn at Neville Arena at Auburn.  By: Patrick Eiland AUM Audio · AUM multimedia specialist Stephen Gunter is interviewed by Patrick Eiland about his reporting days MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The late great Marvel Comics editor and publisher Stan Lee loved his job and once said, “If you do what you really want to do, you feel like you're playing." Everyone has their own passions and sometimes they take us places we could never imagine. Stephen Gunter working in his office in the Auburn University at Montgomery Ida Belle Younge…
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Brooke Myers: the pride and joy of Auburn radio

Brooke Myers: the pride and joy of Auburn radio

(photo credits pexels.com) By: Rodrecus Lewis   AUM Audio · Tiger Communications GM Brooke Myers is interviewed by student Rodrecus Lewis AUBURN, Ala. — Displaying her overwhelming southern charm and hospitality, Brooke Myers, the general manager for Tiger Communications, began our interview by setting up new office chairs.  The casually dressed radio host walked into the office, with a warm smile and paper building instructions, offering a seat while we prepared for conversation. “We ordered more chairs because for some reason the ones we have keep breaking,” she explained. “I’ve built every chair in here.”   With a radio station worked by only nine people,…
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Telling Selma’s story: A profile of Brent Maze

Telling Selma’s story: A profile of Brent Maze

photo courtesy of Pixabay on pexels.com Local news editor affirms community journalism matters and is worth the fight AUM Audio · Selma Times Journal Editor Brent Maze is interviewed by AUM senior Nichlos Cutrell For long-time journalist Brent Maze, success isn't measured in the number of awards he's won or the titles he's held. He measures the success in stories he's written connecting neighbors, holding local leaders accountable and giving voice to communities. “People sometimes think local news is small news,” Maze said. “But it’s the news that affects your life every single day. It’s the stories of your neighbors,…
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More than just news: News anchor and reporter of 23 years Sally Pitts shares her experience being a part of the WSFA family

More than just news: News anchor and reporter of 23 years Sally Pitts shares her experience being a part of the WSFA family

By: Tyreanna Causey ​​AUM Audio · WSFA-TV anchor Sally Pitts is interviewed by AUM student Tyreanna Causey MONTGOMERY, Ala.— For 23 years, Sally Pitts has worked for WSFA-12 News, where she reported and anchored for the state of Alabama, bringing viewers breaking news and heartfelt stories to watch. When she’s not in the studio, she’s playing tennis, running or spending time with her family or taking her daughters to soccer practice.  Sally Pitts is shown reporting live from Montgomery Whitewater to show off some behind-the-scenes footage of the location on July 7, 2023. (Photo taken by WSFA-12 News in 2023) Sally…
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Cap and gown to community sound: Wetumpka Herald reporter Ana Meyer, storyteller of local athletes

Cap and gown to community sound: Wetumpka Herald reporter Ana Meyer, storyteller of local athletes

Ana Myer poses in front of the Wetumpka Herald building. (photo courtesy of Ana Meyer) By: Alexis Taylor AUM Audio · Wetumpka Herald reporter and UT grad Ana Meyer is interviewed by AUM senior Alexis Taylor WETUMPKA, Ala. — Ana Meyer, a recent University of Texas graduate, got a fresh start in Wetumpka as she embarks on her journey as a sports reporter. Ana Meyer is pictured wearing a University of Texas stole in Austin, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Ana Meyer) “Going to journalism school was really one of the best decisions that I ever made,” said Meyer. The University…
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Angier Johnson: A voice of faith and resilience on Montgomery’s airwaves                            

Angier Johnson: A voice of faith and resilience on Montgomery’s airwaves                            

Uplifting listeners, Angier Johnson delivers heartfelt inspiration during her radio air shift. (Photo courtesy of Angier Johnson) By: Nicholas Drayton AUM Audio · WVAS 90.7 FM gospel show host Angier Johnson is interviewed by COMM senior Nicholas Drayton MONTGOMERY, Ala.— As the sun rises over Montgomery on a Sunday morning, families throughout the city will start waking up to the comforting, soothing sounds of Angier Johnson. With Angier's rich, energetic voice, her Sunday Morning Gospel show on WVAS 90.7 FM from 6 to 11 a.m. brings words of inspiration and worship into households throughout the city. Angier Johnson shines on…
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How one WSFA marketing producer is on a path of growth and creative fulfillment

How one WSFA marketing producer is on a path of growth and creative fulfillment

WSFA studio is shown where anchors deliver the news for the people of Montgomery and the surrounding area. (Photo taken by Devin Vaughn) By: Devin Vaughn “It’s important to know what draws eyes and ears and what people find appealing.” - Timothy Skipper, WSFA-12 Timothy Skipper smiles as he leans on a rail on Wednesday morning Sept. 17 for a photo after his interview. (Photo takn by Devin Vaughn) MONTGOMERY, Ala. – “That was a really fulfilling experience,” I thought to myself as I took the elevator down from WSFA’s news floor located in the RSA building downtown. Earlier, I’d had…
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