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App State alumnus produces news to keep Kentuckians informed

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Appalachian State University alumnus John Park ’20, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, electronic media/broadcasting, now works as a news producer at Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo submitted

“There are so many outlets you can use to apply your skills at Appalachian.”

John Park ’20, a news producer at Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky

By Megan Bruffy
Posted Jan. 21, 2021 at 11:47 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — For Appalachian State University alumnus John Park ’20, each day starts with one simple question: What’s happening in the world today? As a news producer at Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky, he uses the skills he learned at App State to turn the answers to that question into news programs.

“There are so many outlets you can use to apply your skills at Appalachian.”

John Park ’20, a news producer at Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky

“The news and stories that we tell focus on important news for all areas of the state. I can’t think of a better way to give back to this community that has welcomed me with open arms than to make sure they’re informed of what’s happening in our world,” said Park, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, electronic media/broadcasting (EMB) from App State.

Each day, Park said he scours news from The Associated Press and social media to find stories of interest to the show’s audience. He also works with reporters in the field to ensure their content suits the content of the show.

His work includes writing scripts for the show’s news anchors and curating video, audio and graphics.

“It is a really rewarding process,” Park said. “You start with nothing and by the time your shift is over, you’ve created 60 minutes of television.”

Finding his passion

Park did not always know he wanted to work in broadcasting. He said he began taking classes in the Department of Communication after hearing about the EMB major and quickly found the courses “challenged me and forced me to think in new ways about the world.”

“My professors and faculty came from a variety of backgrounds, which brought different experiences and knowledge to the classroom,” Park said. “Hearing about their careers and what they learned was helpful to me in finding out what I wanted to do with my life.”

Anne Ward, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, said she was not surprised that Park — who graduated in spring 2020 in the midst of a tumultuous job market due to the COVID-19 global pandemic — found a job almost immediately.

“He is an example of the kind of hard-working and intellectually curious student that App State attracts,” Ward said. “The Department of Communication provides an outstanding learning lab for students and John made the most of every opportunity.”

Park said he credits his professional success to the department’s “new equipment, knowledgeable professors and abundance of resources,” as well as its focus on hands-on learning through the university’s student media outlets — The Appalachian newspaper, AppTV and 90.5 WASU-FM radio station. Park worked on several AppTV programs, including “The Appalachian Weekly News” and “Hi, Neighbor!”

“I got to use the lessons that I learned in the classroom in the real world to create content that aired in several North Carolina and Tennessee counties,” Park said.

He said the advisers and faculty for The Appalachian and AppTV “push you to do better because they know every student is capable of producing great content.”

Park also put his studies to use as a member of the Marching Mountaineers, App State’s marching band. A trumpet player, he also served as the band’s media director — creating website and social media content and overseeing video and photography projects.

“There are so many outlets you can use to apply your skills at Appalachian,” Park said, adding that the university’s physical location in Boone also has much to offer.

Park, a native of Charlotte, said, “The scenery is hard to beat. Once I got up the mountain, I knew I was going to have a hard time leaving it.”

A Mountaineer legacy

As a legacy student, Park’s journey to App State was guided by the generations of Mountaineers in his family — including his grandparents, parents and uncle. His sister, Jackie Park, also chose to attend App State. She is a senior communication, journalism major who currently serves as The Appalachian's editor-in-chief.

“I really think there was one place for me to be and I’m so glad Appalachian was that place,” Park said.

His grandfather, Jack Park, was a manager for the Mountaineers football team in the 1950s. In 1995, the Jack and Juanita Park Endowment for Athletics was established at App State for Park’s grandparents and it annually supports a student manager for the football program.

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Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)
Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)

Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS) develops the skills needed for career success in any aspect of broadcasting, from sales programming to writing for commercials or news.

Learn more
Turn the channel to AppTV — the Best College TV Station of 2020
Turn the channel to AppTV — the Best College TV Station of 2020
April 3, 2020

Appalachian’s student-run media outlets — The Appalachian newspaper, The App (WASU-FM 90.5) radio station and AppTV — were recognized for excellence in communication at the 80th annual Intercollegiate Broadcast System International Media Conference held March 6–8, 2020, in New York City.

Read the story
The news must go on: App State’s student-run media continue remotely
The news must go on: App State’s student-run media continue remotely
April 3, 2020

Appalachian State University’s student-run media transition to an all-online format to report breaking news and COVID-19 developments.

Read the story

About the Department of Communication

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – advertising, communication studies, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism and public relations – and a minor in communication studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government and nonprofit organizations. Learn more at https://communication.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“There are so many outlets you can use to apply your skills at Appalachian.”

John Park ’20, a news producer at Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky

Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)
Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS)

Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting (BS) develops the skills needed for career success in any aspect of broadcasting, from sales programming to writing for commercials or news.

Learn more
Turn the channel to AppTV — the Best College TV Station of 2020
Turn the channel to AppTV — the Best College TV Station of 2020
April 3, 2020

Appalachian’s student-run media outlets — The Appalachian newspaper, The App (WASU-FM 90.5) radio station and AppTV — were recognized for excellence in communication at the 80th annual Intercollegiate Broadcast System International Media Conference held March 6–8, 2020, in New York City.

Read the story
The news must go on: App State’s student-run media continue remotely
The news must go on: App State’s student-run media continue remotely
April 3, 2020

Appalachian State University’s student-run media transition to an all-online format to report breaking news and COVID-19 developments.

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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