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Friends@Fox
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| Eric Conner ’97 at Kandahar International Airport in Afghanistan, where he covered U.S. military operations for Fox News. |
You might say that Eric Conner ’97 has come a long way, baby.” From working as a stringer, or “daily hire,” for ABC Sports covering Penn State football games in central Pennsylvania to filming the warfronts in Iraq and Afghanistan for Fox News, Conner’s professional journey is nothing short of a photographer’s dream. Yet, no matter where his career takes him – 43 states and a dozen or more countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia over the past two-and-a-half years – Susquehanna remains a part of him.
“There were so many things to experience at Susquehanna that helped mold me into a well-rounded person. That wide range of opportunities helped define who I am,” says Conner, who studied broadcasting. And who he is today is a man who rubs shoulders with famous television journalists, films the First Lady at the State of the Union address and travels the world “in the bubble” with “Rummy,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Now, he’s sharing these experiences with Susquehanna students. This year, Conner offered a competitive summer internship at his home base of operation – the Washington, D.C., bureau office of Fox News. After conducting a full day of campus interviews, Conner presented the opportunity to broadcasting major Terence Thomas ’06, of Milton, Pa.
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| Terence Thomas ’06 sits in the Tony Snow Show’s radio studio. Snow complimented Terence on his radio voice. |
“The influence this internship has had on me can’t be measured,” said Thomas. Aside from the experience of living in a major metropolitan area, Thomas worked with Conner on assignments at the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the White House. He also spent a lot of time working with Fox News Radio’s The Tony Snow Show, where he talked to such famous figures as Ben Stein, Tom Ridge and Newt Gingrich.
“He did great from day one. We tried to steal him (from Eric) as much as possible,” said producer Griffin Jenkins. In a short time, Thomas became an active member of the show’s team, screening callers to the show and pulling audio clips for editing. And if the endearing nicknames he was given are any indication, Thomas hit it off well with the staff too. Studio engineer Jody Sciacca nicknamed him “Double T,” and Jenkins called him “T-bird.”
“My experience at Fox News has taught me how capable I am. I now realize that with a bit of work, I can be a helpful member of a major news network,” Thomas said.
“I am truly a lucky student to have obtained this internship,” he continued. “The connection between alumni and students was a large reason why my parents sent me to Susquehanna University in the first place. I hope that one day, when I have advanced in the field of media, I can give back to some other students.”
Although touched by Thomas’ gratitude, Conner remains humble about the opportunity he made possible. “This internship program was never about me,” Conner said. “Susquehanna University gave me so much that it was only natural to make good and give something back.
Giving Back |
| Over the past year, more than 25 alumni assisted students with securing and successfully
completing internships. Brenda Fabian, director of the Center for Career Services, says alumni are instrumental in helping students explore career options. “They are especially interested in serving as on-site mentors for interns from their alma mater, and are often excellent career resources after graduation,” Fabian says.
“Students trust alumni and value the insights of professionals who have had academic experiences similar to their own. Alumni lead by example and inspire confidence in students who can envision themselves as future SU success stories,” she adds.
Any alum interested in exploring the possibility of establishing internship opportunities for Susquehanna students is invited to contact the Center for Career Services at 570-372-4146 or career@susqu.edu. |
Terence captured some of his daily assignments in a work journal.
Day 1, June 14
Eric Conner and I went to a dinner for President Bush in the Convention Center. The dinner was at 7 p.m. My day began at 9:30 a.m., although I woke up at about 8 a.m. to get to work. During the day, I was shown a few (filming) techniques, but I mostly just watched.
Day 2, June 15
We went to tape a Senate event on Capitol Hill. I helped carry the equipment to the event and I also helped set up some equipment. I was sitting about three seats from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Day 3, June 16
There was a press conference with the mayor of Washington at RFK Stadium. Fox News was at this event because a package was being put together on how citizens of Washington, D.C., can't watch Nationals games. Later in the day I went along to an interview with the Internet blogger Wonkette. I ran the audio during this event and I helped set up.
Day 4, June 17
We went to Fort Meade in Maryland to record a press conference on Army recruiting. Afterward, I traveled with Eric to do some practice shooting near the National Airport. We returned to the bureau and watched the footage. Eric told me I didn't suck and the shot framing was good. He then gave me some advice on focusing and other shooting techniques.
Day 5, June 20
I went to the Supreme Court, as Fox News was set up for live shots if any court decisions were newsworthy for them. There weren't any newsworthy decisions so I traveled back to the bureau. I sat in on The Tony Snow Radio Show and got to meet Tony. Tony and Jody Sciacca (studio engineer) told me I have a strong radio voice. Jody suggested sticking with radio instead of TV, but I'm just trying to see a bit of everything currently. Right now its lunch time so I still have more to do today.
I helped the board operator and senior producer find sound bytes for the Tony Snow Show until I was called by the front desk for a shooting assignment. I headed back to the Supreme Court. Fox News, along with the other national news channels, was waiting to have a live shot on Supreme Court decisions that were newsworthy. Unfortunately, none were made so Fox and the other stations broke down and headed back to the bureaus.
Later in the day Eric and I headed to the waterfront to search for Rep. Duke Cunningham’s boat “The Dukestir.” The reason we were searching for the boat was because Cunningham had some questionable real estate transactions with a defense contractor.
Day 6, June 21
Eric Conner and I headed to the House Radio TV Gallery for a press conference headed by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. I ran the audio for this interview and I also used the shotgun microphone so we could get audio of the questions being asked.
Day 7, June 22
Eric Conner, John Wallace, and I headed to the Democratic National Committee Headquarters. I helped with setup and teardown with this event, which featured DNC Chairman Howard Dean.
Day 8, June 23
Once again I headed over to the Supreme Court, waiting for newsworthy decisions. None of the decisions made were considered newsworthy by Fox News although the eminent domain decision was made.
Later in the day I headed to a meeting where all the interns who were working that day were brought together so they could meet each other.
Day 9, June 24
I came in and stayed with the Fox News Radio crew the entire day. Tony Snow was in St. Louis so the show was done over a phone line. The show sounded as clear as when Snow is in the studio. I watched Jody and Griff Jenkins (the senior producer) as they worked. Jody was teaching me little bits of information on the board. I used the Telos 2x12 (phone lines for callers) for an hour because the normal worker left earlier. I had to call Ben Stein because he was appearing on the Tony Snow Show. So I spoke to Ben Stein on the phone.
After lunch, Jody showed me how he edited the best three hours of the previous week together for the Tony Snow Weekend Show. He showed me what parts of the show he needed to cut, which included parts of the liners, along with all the commercials. I used the Enco digital audio system to find the commercials he needed to use for the show.
GIVING BACK
Over the past year, more than 25 alumni assisted students with securing and successfully
completing internships. Brenda Fabian, director of the Center for Career Services, says alumni are instrumental in helping students explore career options. “They are especially interested in serving as on-site mentors for interns from their alma mater, and are often excellent career resources after graduation,” Fabian says.
“Students trust alumni and value the insights of professionals who have had academic experiences similar to their own. Alumni lead by example and inspire confidence in students who can envision themselves as future SU success stories,” she adds.
Any alum interested in exploring the possibility of establishing internship opportunities for Susquehanna students is invited to contact the Center for Career Services at 570-372-4146 or career@susqu.edu.
Eric Conner ’97 at Kandahar International Airport in Afghanistan, where he was covering U.S. military operations for Fox News.
Eric Conner ’97 and Terence Thomas ’06 set up a shoot on the North Lawn of the White House. Conner sponsored Thomas’ summer 2005 internship with Fox News.
Photo courtesy Edward R. Little
Terence Thomas ’06 sits in the Tony Snow Show’s radio studio. Snow complimented Terence on his radio voice.
