By Reagan Daniel
The Murray State Department of Journalism and Mass Communications hosted its annual “Meet the Pros” event this fall, continuing a long-standing tradition that connects students with alumni and other industry professionals.
“Meet the Pros” is a networking event that gives graduating seniors a chance to talk one-on-one with
experts from their fields, explore career options and gain insight into how to prepare to enter the
professional world. The event builds students’ confidence and helps them develop valuable connections,
bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.
The event dates back to the early 1980s, when it was first known as the “Job Fair.” It was designed by Dr. Bob McGaughey, who served as JMC department chair for 23 years, with assistance from Dr. Bob Lochte, a professor specializing in radio and television. The name was later changed to “Meet the Pros” to better reflect the event’s purpose.
Over time, the event evolved under the leadership of Dr. Gill Welsch, who teaches Senior
Seminar each fall semester. Originally restricted to seniors only, “Meet the Pros” is now open to all JMC students. In 2004, Welsch introduced a new format that turned it into a two-hour event. The first hour features panel discussions for each major; the second features “speed dating,” where students rotate among all the professionals for short conversations. Each year, approximately 15 to 25 professionals, many of them Murray State alumni working in media and communications, participate in the event.
Dr. Welsch describes the planning process with humor, saying, “I feel like a zookeeper,” referring to the coordination needed to organize the event. Still, he says the effort is worth it. “The best feeling is waking up the next morning and hearing how well everything went and how well the students did,” Welsch said.
“Meet the Pros” continues to be one of the department’s most meaningful traditions, giving students a valuable opportunity to connect with those who once stood in their shoes—and to take the next steps toward their own professional success.
Photo Caption: This year’s event featured speakers who are engaged in a number of communication professions.
Front row (left to right): David Wilham, senior vice president of strategy and accounts, Bisit Impact Group, Louisville, Ky.; Patrick Waddlington, public relations specialist, Baptist Health Paducah, Paducah, Ky.; Kelly Channell, CEO. United Way of Western Kentucky, Paducah, Ky.; Asia Burnett, station manager, WKMS-FM, Murray State University; Meghann Richardson, director of events, Dynamic Directions, Owensboro, Ky.; Ryan Richardson, managing editor, the Owensboro Times, Owensboro, Ky.; Chris Evans, editor and publisher, The Crittenden Press, Marion, Ky.;
Middle row: (left to right) Ashley W. Horn, vice president of marketing and communications, L.I. Smith & Associates, Paris, Tenn.; Katelynn Rowe, director of marketing and communications, Signet Federal Credit Union, Paducah, Ky.; Ashley Bitters, account director, RunSwitch Public Relations, Louisville, Ky.; Tory Daughrity, director of communications and community engagement, Skyline Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.; Dana Howard, vice president and marketing director, CFSB Bank, Benton, Ky.; Amy Turner, public affairs specialist, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs Office, Fort Knox, Ky.
Back row: Dave Washburn, senior vice president for strategy and accounts, Bisig Impact Group, Louisville, Ky.; vice president of operations, Major League Fishing, Benton, Ky.; Ed Marlowe, news and sports reporter, WKDZ radio, Cadiz, Ky.; Austin Gordon, date scientist, Hutson, Inc., Murray, Ky.; Dylan Norton, assistant production coordinator, Murray State Digital Media Services; Brandon Story, TV producer/director, Murray State Digital Media Services; Roger Seay, news director, KFVS 12 -TV, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Tab Brockman, consultant, Pinnacle Indoor Sports, Paducah, Ky.
rotate among professionals for short conversations. Each year, approximately 15 to 25
professionals, many of them Murray State alumni working in media and communications,
participate in the event.
Dr. Welsch describes the planning process with humor, saying, “I feel like a zookeeper,”
referring to the coordination needed to organize the event. Still, he says the effort is worth it.
“The best feeling is waking up the next morning and hearing how good everything went and how
well the students did,” Welsch said.
“Meet the Pros” continues to be one of the department’s most meaningful traditions, giving
students a valuable opportunity to connect with those who once stood in their shoes—and to take
the next step toward their own professional success.
rotate among professionals for short conversations. Each year, approximately 15 to 25
professionals, many of them Murray State alumni working in media and communications,
participate in the event.
Dr. Welsch describes the planning process with humor, saying, “I feel like a zookeeper,”
referring to the coordination needed to organize the event. Still, he says the effort is worth it.
“The best feeling is waking up the next morning and hearing how good everything went and how
well the students did,” Welsch said.
“Meet the Pros” continues to be one of the department’s most meaningful traditions, giving
students a valuable opportunity to connect with those who once stood in their shoes—and to take
the next step toward their own professional success.
