Twelve members of the UM chapter of the National Broadcasting Society (NBS), spent four days at the group’s annual convention, which was held from March 11-16 at the Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

The climax of the convention was the awards ceremony on the night of March 15. The University of Miami won two awards, including Best Video News Feature and Best Comedy Program. The first award was won by Irma Murillo, a UM senior, for her package entitled “Swimming with the Dolphins.”

“When I found out I was a finalist in the competition [one of the top three in the country] earlier in the month, I was overjoyed,” Murillo said. “It is a great feeling to know that your work stands out among the best in the nation. When I actually won, I couldn’t believe it. I felt excited, happy, but more importantly accomplished.”

The National Broadcasting Society, which includes Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho), its honor society, is made up of over 85 different colleges, universities, and high schools; UM’s chapter has around 45 active members.

Jim Wilson, executive director of NBS, said the aim of the convention is for students to meet professionals and start networking, but it is also a chance to see what students from other universities are doing. UM’s Terry Bloom agrees.

“For most students this is their first interaction with professionals,” Bloom, the UM chapter adviser, said. “Our goal is to give them an idea of how their careers will really work and turn out to be.”

The UM students that attended the convention included the chapter’s president, senior Lauren Michal; vice president, junior Taylor Longley; AERho vice president, senior Tricia Durrant; treasurer, Monica Yancy; juniors Jaime Jaramillo, Tahira Joly, and Janal Montagna; and sophomores Erin Butherus, Elle Hebel, Joey Held, Chris Nielsen, and Kimberly Thompson.

The ceremonies officially began the night of March 12 with a kickoff presentation. The presentation involved a discussion of what was to come as well as a few words of wisdom.

In his opening remarks, Bill Dorman, national president of NBS, praised the wide variety of students involved in the convention.

“Competition is the best invention in communication,” Dorman said. “It wipes out mediocrity and rewards imagination.”

Carolyn Cefalo, former UM broadcasting professor and current AERho national president, encouraged students not to be content with simply being a member, but to strive for something more.

“I think it’s important for this society to have an honors section,” Cefalo said. “I hope sometime soon everyone can become a member of AERho.”

The UM chapter inducted nine new members into AERho this semester.

Ned Waugaman, vice-president of customer service at Arbitron, Inc. gave his “ABC’s of Life” presentation, which he has done at a number of colleges throughout the nation. While not specifically targeted toward students of communication, Waugaman gave tidbits of helpful advice.

“The ability to learn to work with others is instrumental in life,” said Waugaman. “If you come out of a meeting with even just one new idea, you’re ahead of the game.”

The evening concluded with a national mixer, giving students a chance to meet students from other universities and share ideas for their schools’ respective programs.

On March 13 and 14, various sessions were offered for students, usually three at a time, covering a wide range of topics. Students would have to choose which session to attend, a choice sometimes made easier as a number of cancellations plagued the earlier sessions. However, the number of guest speakers, as well as the knowledge they imparted on their audiences, was still plentiful.

“It’s not about who you know but where you are when the job opens up,” Steve Schifrin, CBS vice president of program production services, said. “You get ahead by solving other people’s problems.”

While Schifrin is a veteran of the industry, a few newcomers shared their opinions, as well.

“Going to small cities first is the best idea,” Matt Fitzgerald, production manager for Genuine Entertainment, said. “It lets you get a feel for how things work, and if you mess up it’s not as big of a deal.”

“You guys are very lucky to be coming through the industry today,” said Anthony McLemore, a producer and writer. “You have a wide choice of jobs and a good chance to be successful. The more eager you are to learn, the more professionals want to teach you.”

McLemore also agreed that competition is a blessing, not a curse.

“Right now, when you’re in the studio on your campuses, the people next to you are your allies. They’re the beginning of your network.”

Some of the sessions also gave students a chance to have their work critiqued. Jeff Hoyt, a freelance voiceover artist and writer who has been heard on radio and television commercials for ESPN, Microsoft, and Pizza Hut, among others, listened to radio demos students brought in on CD and gave them advice.

“A big issue for me with radio newscasters is when they speak from the back of their throat,” Hoyt said. “Speaking from the diaphragm gives a richer and fuller sound.”

“Communicate ideas rather than just saying words,” he added in reference to dealing with promotions and advertisements from sponsors. “As soon as you start reading, the listener can tell.”

While he stressed the importance of listening to broadcasters to hear what sounds good and what does not, Hoyt assured students that the main thing is to be natural.

“Growing up I focused on emulating my idols, but nothing worked until I just started being me.”

While the sessions went on during the day, the night was free to explore the surrounding area. Students were able to experience the “land of magic,” as the hotel was right next to Downtown Disney and across the street from the Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks.

The University of Miami will look to build on this year’s success next year, when the convention will be held in New York City.

“[Professor] Cefalo and I already have some speakers lined up,” Bloom said. “And we’re working on getting a lot more. It will definitely be an excellent experience.”