“Facts, Fiction, Politics and the News” is the title for this year’s Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit.
For 12 years, Oswego State has welcomed students, faculty and the general public to sit in on a discussion hosted by a moderator and a panel of professionals.
The Media Summit was founded by former Oswego students Lou Borrelli and Al Roker. It has been run in subsequent years by a student-run e-board. For the 13th consecutive year, the event is running thanks to students. In charge as the event directors this year are public relations major Boni Quatroche and broadcasting and mass communication major Abigail Buttacavoli. They are following in the footsteps of Kalie Hudson, who ran the event a year ago.
The event’s faculty advisor is professor Michael Riecke. Riecke assists the e-board with the help they need, as well as the many other students involved. Quatroche, Buttacavoli and Riecke are joined by 13 students who are passionate about the media summit. Included in the team this year are: Anna Chichester as the event promotions director, Melissa Wilson and Taylor Briceno as social media coordinators, Kathleen Haynes and Ethan Magram as videographers, Jessika Kisluk as photography director and Bree-Anna Vaughn and Sarah Henry as graphic designers. Students from WTOP and WNYO are also involved on the team as liaison from their respective organizations.
“I was so interested in the Media Summit after attending last year for one of my classes,” Henry said. “I thought it was awesome how a bunch of students ran the whole thing and professionals come speak to us. I knew I wanted to be a part of the planning for the following years.”
Ethan Magram also was interested in joining the Media Summit team.
“I joined the Media Summit after witnessing the impact it has on students and after realizing what a great opportunity it is for students of all disciplines to become informed about the current state of the media,” Magram said. “To work for this event and gain the kind of work experience is an amazing opportunity.”
With putting her name to the Media Summit, Quatroche said she wanted to do something on campus. Being in charge of the Media Summit, she said she is excited to put pieces together and make the event happen.
“There are tangible results,” Quatroche said. “You can see the product of a finished event in front of you, and it’s rewarding, especially when it’s for the benefit or enjoyment of others.”
Quatroche said she could not have done this without Hudson.
“She is so inspirational and has made such a life for herself here and turned into a mentor,” Quatroche said. “She taught me so much… I felt like she saw something in me no one ever had. I’m honored she believed in me to take on this.”
Riecke said he loved being part of the summit as it drew students together.
“I love how the committee starts with a simple idea for a theme and then develop branding and an entire marketing plan for over the course of a couple months… students learn and grow from the experience…,” Riecke said. “When we look back after it’s over, there is a sense of relief, but also this incredible reward of having accomplished something.“
The 13th annual Media Summit will be in the Tyler Hall Waterman Theatre on Oct. 26, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m.
Photo: Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit
