Tony Moton, an assistant teaching professor of journalism and sports media at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University, spent an eventful two weeks in Chicago this summer for an externship at media outlets and visits to the annual National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention and Career Fair. The externship was coordinated by Iowa State alum Jennifer Lyons, president and general manager of CBS 2 Chicago.
“What a fantastic experience,” Moton said. “As someone who spends most of his time teaching students the finer points of broadcast journalism, it was nice being able to shadow professionals in the field back in my hometown, no less. All the credit goes to Jennifer for making it happen.”
Lyons, a member of Greenlee’s advisory board, has been at her position at CBS 2 Chicago for three years after a lengthy affiliation with WGN America and WGN-TV Chicago. She recently was promoted to regional general manager and president overseeing both CBS Chicago and CBS Detroit.
“What a week Tony had in Chicago! He spent time in two very busy newsrooms, shadowing and seeing firsthand the skills Greenlee students need to bring to the market upon graduation. Also, as ISU launches the new sports journalism degree, Tony got firsthand knowledge of a large market television and radio sports department. Capping it off at NABJ made it a well-rounded experience that will benefit every student Tony impacts,” Lyons said.
“Jennifer has been a valuable resource for Greenlee,” Moton said. “I know how much she wants to help our students succeed in the world. Last fall, she made a virtual visit to my broadcast media production class, and that’s why I had the idea to see whether Jennifer would let me spend time shadowing producers, anchors, reporters and video journalists.”
After a week at CBS, Moton spent a day at WBBM Newsradio, where he shadowed Newsradio 780 anchor and reporter Lisa Fielding. Lyons and Fielding happen to be high school classmates from Lake Zurich, a northwest suburb of Chicago.
“Seeing Lisa at work and on the air has helped inspire me as we develop a radio broadcasting program here at Greenlee,” Moton said. “Plus, I was able to meet some great sports broadcasting talent at WBBM and ESPN, and I plan on bringing them in as guests in Greenlee this coming school year.”
Moton completed his Chicago travels by attending the NABJ Convention, which was themed “Winds of Change: Journalism over Disinformation.” Moton said he is working on creating a college chapter of NABJ at Greenlee.
“I even had a chance to chat with Jennifer at NABJ ,” Moton said. “Before that, she connected me with a former NABJ president and longtime CBS Chicago reporter (Dorothy Tucker) to brainstorm ways to develop a college chapter at Iowa State. All in all, an experience I will never forget.”
The Greenlee School announced a new undergraduate major in sports media and communication earlier this spring following approval from the Iowa Board of Regents after their April meeting. Students may start enrolling in sports media-specific classes starting this fall.