On March 4, 1974, TV-10 aired the first broadcast of its 50-year (and counting) legacy. Today, the half-century celebration is officially underway in the School of Communication.
“It’s absolutely remarkable,” said Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott, interim director of the School of Communication. “When I first took on this role last fall, I made it a priority to learn more about the incredible work our students and faculty do in our media outlets. To get to see and celebrate this anniversary with TV-10 is nothing short of amazing. I’m blown away by the success and loyalty that comes out of this studio.”
For the past 50 years, the TV-10 program has “produced” thousands of successful alumni who now represent Illinois State University worldwide. From Academy Award wins to global coverage at the Olympics, our alums are the best in the industry.
“There are better-known broadcast journalism programs in the U.S., but none that are better at providing the hands-on education and experiences than TV-10 News,” said Jay Groves, former TV-10 news director and director of media relations at the University. “The enduring excellence of TV-10 is a tribute to the vision and leadership of its founders, the engagement of its students, and the success of its alumni.”
A fast 50
Jeff Hawkinson (news director) and Martin Grindeland (production director) launched the legendary program during the 1973-74 academic year. TV-10’s early years featured black and white newscasts produced on film.
The programs next duo was Jeff Szmulewicz (production director) and Wayne Weber (news director). They led TV-10’s transition to color broadcasts over their nine-year run. TV-10’s newsroom was located in Old Union, with the studio in Metcalf School—making the trek across campus often a memorable one.
“I’ll always remember this one day,” recalled TV-10 alum Arles Hendershott Love ’79. “I was running late and had to sprint across the quad and down a parking ramp with a box of tapes. I did a football pass to the guy running the control room with the lead story. I then fell into my anchor desk all sweaty. I pulled it off, though!”
In 1992, the TV-10 studio and newsroom found its “forever home” in the lower level of Fell Hall. Jay Groves (news director from 1985-1995) and John Fisk (production director from 1982-2002) were running the show those days. Not until the 2008 renovation did TV-10 see another significant change when Bob Carroll formulated a new logo and color scheme for the set. Right around Homecoming, the School of Communication hosted a formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the new studio.
TV-10 went “tapeless” in 2009 with the acquisition of digital equipment, including video cameras, non-linear editing stations, and a playout server. In 2014, new scripting software added a social media management function.
It’s been eight years since TV-10 transitioned to high definition. With the renovation of the control room, a TriCaster switcher was added, taking the TV-10 broadcast to the green screen.
Today, the TV-10 crew produces eight live show and one pre-recorded show per week airing on Bloomington-Normal Comcast, channel 20. With regular shows like SportsZone, Ten on 10, Bottom Line, and Good Afternoon BloNo, it’s safe to say that TV-10 has come a long way in the past 50 years.
Fifty years of loyalty and love
There’s no shortage of memories to share behind the scenes or on the air in the TV-10 News studio.
“I remember pulling an all-nighter once,” said Kelly Lambert ’09, M.S. ’16, interim production coordinator. “As undergrads, my friend and I had been asked to create a recruitment video for Redbird football, and we definitely waited too long to get started! Our teachers waved goodbye to us as they left for the evening and greeted us in the morning when they returned. I’ll never forget their faces when they spotted us still exporting our final product to a DVD 12 hours later!”
Lambert is a long-time “TV-10er.” As interim production coordinator, Lambert is responsible for the mass media students in the studio. From graphics and backgrounds to shooting and editing the visuals for the show, she is no stranger to the program—or TV production.
“I picked TV production with absolutely no knowledge or understanding of what it was as a major,” said Lambert. “I remember thinking, ‘I like watching TV’, so I picked it on a total whim. Once I got into the classes, I knew I’d made the right choice, though.”
Lambert spent the majority of her junior and senior years in TV-10, trying out every role the studio had to offer, both in front and behind the camera. She often spent time in TV-10 when she was “off the clock,” training and welcoming the next batch of students on the ins and outs of the production space.
“It just kind of became my job,” she added. Lambert returned to TV-10 as a graduate assistant before officially stepping into the interim production coordinator role in fall 2023. She has also served as a faculty member in the School of Communication since 2016.
“This year has been challenging, but overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “It’s incredible being back in the studio on a day-to-day basis. I love coaching students through their own journeys in TV-10.”
It’s not uncommon for alumni to return to the studio, oftentimes at the drop of a hat. In February 2024, interim news director, Haley Kosik ’18 stepped back into the studio, eager to return home and share her professional experiences with her students.
“When Bob Carroll contacted me about a teaching opportunity in TV-10, I knew I had to jump at it and give back to my alma mater,” said Kosik. “We have such an outstanding program that gives students real, hands-on television news production experience. It’s one of a kind!”
Kosik has spent the past seven years as a TV news reporter and anchor in West Virgina and Ohio. She earned a regional Emmy Award in the craft category “Video Journalist” in 2020. While celebrating her success with her mentors, a piece of advice resonated.
“I remember asking my friend Anthony how I could thank him for his help and support in the early stages of my career, and he simply said, ‘Pass on the knowledge to someone else.’”
Kosik now serves as the interim news director in TV-10, working to do just that.
Celebrating in style
The School of Communication will proudly celebrate the 50-year anniversary of TV-10 on April 12 and 13, 2024 with a variety of commemorative events.
“You’d be really hard pressed to find another university that will say they can fill a ballroom full of people who came for a college reunion event!” joked Deb Lesser, media business director for WZND Radio and TV-10 News.
But here in the School of Communication, it’s the sincere truth. With over 150 expected to attend the celebrations, the media business office students are hard at work making plans for the exciting weekend.
“On Friday, April 12 there will be an opportunity for folks who are here in town early to visit some of the local watering holes in Uptown Normal,” said Lesser. “Each location we have set up will be a hub for a specific decade of TV-10 alums. And you might just find some creatively named drinks after some noteworthy TV-10ers!”
On Saturday, April 13 the School will proudly host an open house. A light brunch will be provided, and TV-10 will produce a live anniversary broadcast for all to watch. Following the open house, the celebration will continue at the Marriott Hotel in Uptown Normal, where 12 new inductees will be enshrined into the TV-10 Hall of Fame.
“It’s going to be very exciting,” added Lesser. “These events are very joyous, and that’s the best part!”
All are welcomed to attend. Register here before March 21, 2024 to secure your spot.
The next 50 years
It’s undeniable that the first 50 years of TV-10’s existence are worth the pomp and circumstance the School of Communication has lined up in April. From the black and white images broadcast in Metcalf School to the current high definition studio in Fell Hall, TV-10 has kept up with the rapidly changing industry. The future of media is in the stars, but this piece of the School of Communication will continue to be a hallmark of the institution, one way or another.
“The world of broadcast news and media changes by the day,” said Hendershott Love. “As a proud 1979 alum of TV-10, it pains me to say that the nightly newscast is not the primary way people consume their news anymore.”
As the industry shifts and new challenges and opportunities arise—like Artificial Intelligence—TV-10 will continue to evolve with each new generation of journalists.
“In 25-50 years, I do see a TV-10 program because people will always be thirsty and hungry for information,” added Hendershott Love. “But it will be more digital and on demand, I’m sure.”
Similarly, Kelly Lambert envisions a constantly developing, relevant, hub of learning.
“I think TV-10 will change a lot in the next 50 years,” she said. “We’re going to have to change with the industry. I don’t think people will want to get their news from a television. We already livestream to Facebook because that’s an outlet where people seek news. This is only the beginning of the changing times coming our way.”
One thing is certain, though. As students of the next news shift discover their definition of “on-air,” TV-10 needs the support of its alums now more than ever. In conjunction with the spring 2024 Birds Give Back university-wide day of philanthropy, TV-10 announced a corresponding hatch campaign called Fifty for Fifty.
“I want to challenge every TV-10 alum out there,” said Hendershott Love. “Take part in this campaign to ensure that there’s a primetime slot for TV-10 at Illinois State University. The world of news is changing, and it’s our job to be on the frontlines facing it. If we can raise $1,000 for every year of the program’s existence, that’s $50,000. And that’s a strong start.”
The School of Communication and TV-10 are here to prepare tomorrow’s professionals. With support from Redbird alums, TV-10 will remain one of the nation’s lead anchors for educating future media professionals over another 50 years.
“I firmly believe I am both the person and professional that I am today because of my time at Illinois State University,” said Hendershott Love. “That’s how large of an impact the school had on me. The Fifty for Fifty campaign was my brainchild. I’m ready to pay it forward because of the lasting impact ISU has had on me. Will you join me?”
Those wishing to contribute to the $50,000 goal can visit the hatch campaign hub.
Let’s make the next 50 years just as remarkable as the last. Congratulations, TV-10, on this milestone anniversary!
