Senior Luke Garrett and junior Michael Wolenski, two Westminster College broadcast communication majors, have landed jobs as weekend television news/sports directors for two Youngstown, Ohio, television stations.

 "I started the end of May between my sophomore and junior year," Wolenski said.  "Westminster's chief engineer Chuck Chirozzi called me at home to alert me about the opening at WYTV channel 33 (ABC affiliate) in Youngstown.  I applied, got an interview, and was offered the job later that week."

 "Over the last Christmas break, I received a call from Dr. [David] Barner [associate professor of broadcast communications] and he told me about the opening at Youngstown television station WKBN channel 27 (CBS affiliate)." Garrett said.  "Dr. Barner told me that a Westminster alumnus Greg Rhoton '93 had recommended Westminster as a place to look for candidates."

 The students took different paths to their current positions.

 When Garrett came to Westminster, he was a sociology/criminal justice major who quickly lost interest in that major.

 "I had a math class with a broadcast communications major," Garrett said.  "I liked what she told me about her major, so I changed majors again.  This time I found what I liked.  When I first declared this major, I took a sports practicum and worked with our director Amy Dalbon [graduated in Dec. 2004].  I knew then that I wanted to do what she was doing; working behind the scenes at sporting events."

 Wolenski had known his career path since his high school days at Peters Township, where he worked on the high school television station. 

 "I liked working in television in high school and in college," Wolenski said.  "I always knew this is where I wanted to be."

 Both agree that students should take every opportunity to get experience.

 "I learned in high school that you get whatever you put into it," Garrett said.  "You must get involved in things not required by class and Westminster gives students many opportunities to gain experience needed in the workforce."

 "My classes at Westminster gave me most of what I needed to know in my job, but Westminster also offers many other opportunities," Wolenski said.  "You can do the minimum and still graduate, but if you want a job, you need to get involved and do what you can in the department."

 "I truly believe that I got my job because Westminster gave me the skills I needed," Garrett said.  "I was ready to do the work, all I had to learn was a little different terminology used at this station."

 Garrett, a senior, is a son of David and Barb Garrett, New Wilmington, and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.

 Wolenski, a junior, is a son of M. Thomas Wolenski, Venetia, and Carol Oliver, Bridgeville.  He is a graduate of Peters Township High School.

 Contact Dr. David Barner, chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Theatre and Art at Westminster College, at (724) 946-7239 or e-mail barnerdl@westminster.edu for more information.

Luke Garrett

Mike Wolenski