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University of Memphis Journalism Student Participated in 2nd Annual Meredith-Cronkite Minority Fellowship

For release: February 12, 2008
For press information, contact Simone Notter Wilson

Brandi Hunter (left) goes over her script for the upcoming newscast with Danielle Stubbs, another Fellowship participant.

Brandi Hunter, a broadcast journalism graduate student, spent the week before her final semester of graduate school working with some of the best professionals in broadcast journalism. Hunter was one of 12 minority broadcast students selected from colleges across the country for the 2nd Annual Meredith-Cronkite Minority Fellowship, held January 6-12 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The students spent a week with instructors from the Cronkite School of Journalism and professionals from Phoenix CBS television affiliate KPHO learning about newsroom ethics and how to find, develop, and create compelling stories, produce strong newscasts, and become newsroom leaders.
The week culminated in a 30-minute newscast that was taped on the last day of the fellowship.“We identified two goals as we developed the program – to provide students with a newsroom experience with real-world deadlines and to give them access to working news professionals," said Steve Hammel, KPHO vice president and general manager.“I spent the week practically living in one of the top newsrooms in the country," said Hunter. “I am so grateful to have been chosen for the fellowship, because now I know that the education I received at the U of M has prepared me for a successful career, and I now have 11 colleagues and friends scattered across the U.S. that I can call on for support."

Hunter, a Memphis native, is currently finishing her last semester of graduate school. She also holds a B.A. degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Memphis.

All 12 fellowship participants after taping six newscasts on their
last day of the program.

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