By: Stephanie Reynard

This semester’s COM 465, Advanced Television Workshop, was given the opportunity to meet with Tom Ceterski, director of the San Diego Padres telecasts. The group of students listened as Ceterski explained how he got involved in directing, his past experience, as well as career tips for students interested in directing. Ceterski is known for his 30 years of directing sporting events, including Super Bowls and Clipper’s basketball games. He is a top director on the West coast, and has traveled all over the world directing and assisting in other areas of production.

Point Loma students in the Communication and Theatre department are very fortunate to have opportunities every year to meet with professionals in their chosen field. Past guest speakers in classes include Cliff Albert, a Clear Channel operations manager, Kent Davy, editor for the North County Times, as well as Bill Griffith and Carol LeBeau, anchors for KGTV 10News in San Diego. Emmy award winner Russ Woody has spoken to students about his work as a sit-com writer for such shows as the Drew Carey Show, Becker and Murphy Brown.

Jim Staylor of Staylor-Made Communications, an independent production company has also shared with students, as well as Karl Kozak, an independent filmmaker who is currently working with Point Loma interns on a film titled Skidmarks. In addition to film and journalism professionals, Rod Whitson, President of Townsend Inc., an advertising and public relations firm in San Diego, has also visited the campus.

The advantage that Point Loma students receive from meeting with professionals is phenomenal. Dr. Alan Hueth, professor of Media Communication at Point Loma explains that, “we bring professionals to campus to that students can know how to prepare for the future.” In addition to learning from these professionals about their industries, students can often times gain contacts that lead to internships or even jobs once they graduate.