Posted: May 07, 2012 - 1:47 PM MST by Theresa Bierer
As many students are studying for finals and finishing their
semester projects this week, I wanted to send a congratulations to the
graduating seniors. Earning a college
degree is no small feat. Especially
today, when many students are balancing multiple obligations, trying to keep
them all on track.
While my hats are off to everyone graduating, I have a
special fondness for Haley Quiner. She
reminds me of myself as an undergraduate, with perhaps a tad greater focus than
I had. While I came to Northern Arizona University
explicitly for the broadcasting school (and Haley came to study accounting
before falling in love with broadcasting,) Haley exemplifies determination and
focus.
She worked as our first student reporter on Inside NAU
during our fourth season. Haley was a
sophomore who knew how to shoot, edit, write and be on camera. Students like this are rare. Plus, Haley was always done with her work
early, as opposed to pushing it to the deadline (which we are all prone to do
at times.)
While working on Inside NAU, Haley also worked on NAZ Today,
the student run live newscast, which we air on our NAU-TV Channel 4. This type of experience is just not available
at most colleges and universities. When
I was a student, we didn’t have anything like NAZ Today. (I hosted a TV show my fist year at NAU, and
after a recommendation by Professor Dale Hoskins, started a radio career at
KCLS. Back then, NAU’s TV studio was in
the Liberal Arts building and was primarily used for classroom labs.)
Haley Quiner the kind of person who sees an opportunity and
seizes it. After working for Inside NAU,
she went on to work with Cindy Catizone (NAU-TV’s Senior Producer/Director) on
the live sporting events carried on Fox Sports Arizona. Haley also went on to be director for NAZ
Today. Directing a live TV newscast when
you are a college undergraduate is an amazing opportunity and Haley stepped up
and shined in this role. I think it is accurate
to say she shined in every role she undertook as a NAU broadcasting
student.
As crews are preparing for this week’s pomp and
circumstance, and families from all over the world travel to Flagstaff for the upcoming
graduation ceremonies, I would like to wish everyone a safe and meaningful celebration. And I would like to extend a heartfelt hug to
Haley Quiner, I hope you have a wonderful and rewarding life. Please drop me a line some time to let me
know where your path takes you.