Ten Bradley University students have secured highly sought after internships with NBC at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
NBC conducted a series of on-campus interviews in April before selecting the Bradley students, who were in competition with students from a select few of the top universities across the country.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to demonstrate their skills on the world’s largest broadcasting stage,” Bradley President Joanne Glasser said. “Bradley has exactly what NBC needs: bright, skilled, experienced and energetic students who are prepared to bring compelling Olympic stories to viewers back home. I look forward to this great partnership lasting for years.”
More than 40 Bradley students were interviewed by NBC officials before the final selections were made. Interns will fulfill a variety of duties for NBC, ranging from front-line tasks in London to behind-the-scenes production jobs in New York City. The internships will last from three to five weeks next summer; the 2012 London games run from July 27 to August 12.
“Our students can compete with those at any other university,” said Dr. Paul Gullifor, chair of the Department of Communication and the Henry Means Pindell Endowed Chair in Communication. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get practical experience working for one of the world’s greatest media organizations at the world’s premiere sporting event.”
NBC was attracted to Bradley after President Glasser and Dr. Gullifor met with network officials in New York last year to discuss the University’s top-notch academic program and its high-quality students. Bradley offers a one-of-a-kind sports communication curriculum and has a long tradition of educating world-class sports announcers and broadcasting professionals. Among the university’s notable alumni are Charley Steiner, Andy Masur, Jack Brickhouse, Ralph Lawlor, and Chick Hearn.
Students underwent rigorous preparation before meeting with NBC officials, including mock interviews with alumni, advice on resume writing, and an overview of Olympic and NBC history.
The students chosen for the internships are:
Andert, Elise – Bridgeton, MO
DeFreitas, Mathew – Metamora, IL
Dismer, Elise – Alpharetta, GA
Hardy, Montel – Calumet Park, IL
Harris, Justine – Normal, IL
Himmel, Miles – San Diego, CA
Keesee, Zachary – Ransom, IL
McClelland, Kevin – Berea, OH
Morgan, Christopher – East St. Louis, IL
Puerto, Kristina – Chesterfield, MO