Where they are now?

 Current Communication Alumni

COM alumnus writes for Dayton Daily News
Donald Thrasher isn't new to the writing scene-he's been an author since his college days at Wright State University -more-

Wright State grad taking strides in the entertainment industry
Deron Detwiler, a 1996 graduate of Wright State University,  founded Accent Entertainment in 1998 -more-

Valuable skills picked up from working for The Guardian has aided former Editor-in-Chief
Greg Billing, former sports editor and editor-in-chief of The Guardian, learned valuable leadership skills that would later aid him at three different newspapers -more-

Alumna appointed new marketing director at local radio station
Jill Bishop, who earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies from WSU in June of 2001, was recent appointed -more-

Communication Department well represented among business publication’s award winners
Two of the nine Wright State graduates who received the most recent Dayton Business Journal “40 Under 40” awards hold Department of Communication degrees -more-

Donald Thrasher Interview
Jennifer Fejes

    Donald Thrasher isn’t new to the writing scene - he’s been an author since his college days at Wright State University where he graduated with a degree in Mass Communication.
     Thrasher, who now writes a weekly music and entertainment column for the Dayton Daily News, said that he learned his techniques in journalism from his college professors. “We got a lot of practice experience which I thought was very useful,” Thrasher said of WSU Professor Jeff John’s Basic and Advanced Media Writing classes.
     “(John’s) accuracy for deadlines instilled a work ethic,” he said.As it turns out, meeting a deadline has been a critical element in each of Thrasher’s jobs since graduating from WSU. “Since my column is weekly, I don’t have to be in the office every day, but there is still a deadline to be met,” he said. “There is no stress or office politics. Being freelance and working at home fits me well.”
     But Thrasher didn’t always have his dream job. Before writing for the Dayton Daily News and Impact Weekly, a newspaper for which he worked for two years, he had similar duties at the Trading Post. “It wasn’t glamorous, but it was weekly. I did articles on auctioneers and their upcoming auctions,” said Thrasher.  He said he did this for four years and tried to make it interesting,
     “My advice to students is even if you don’t think it’s worth it, do it because it’s worth the experience to get your feet wet,” said Thrasher, who also teaches at Dayton’s Stivers High School.  He suggests that all students be open-minded about the field they are entering.  “Make sure you stay educated and well-rounded. Read the newspaper. Take classes outside your major, even if it’s not something you think you are interested in. Variety is what makes you well-rounded,” said Thrasher. -return-

Deron Detwiler Interview
Jess Haney

     A graduate of Wright State is currently making money in the entertainment industry as the founder of Accent Entertainment, a DJ service in the Miami Valley. 
     Deron Detwiler, a 1996 graduate of Wright State University founded Accent Entertainment in 1998.  Used mostly as a DJ  service around the Miami Valley, he has extended his reach to various media production with larger companies.  Deron Detwiler, founder of Accent Entertainment, stresses to current students and those getting ready to go out into the “real world” that “reliability is what makes all the difference.”
     This new area of his career is what Detwiler believes his communication classes during college have helped the most.  With many of his clients, he has helped to create employee introduction videos. The production of these videos includes script writing and salespeak.
     While Detwiler does wish to extend his company beyond DJ’ing, he mostly DJ’s and provides sound equipment and lighting for weddings and private parties. -return-

Interview with Greg Billing
Jennifer Stoner

     Greg Billing, former assistant sports editor and editor-in-chief for The Guardian Newspaper, learned valuable leadership skills that would later aid him at the three different newspapers he has worked at since graduating from Wright State University in 1995.  "The leadership skills I learned at Wright State, both from classes and The Guardian go hand in hand with the writing skills," Billing said.
     Billing now works as a sports writer for The Dayton Daily News.  While he has mainly worked in the sports section, he also has experience in the neighbors section.  "Learning how to take charge, so to speak, at Wright State University has certainly helped me be confident going after stories.  And you never know when situations to use those leadership skills will pop up," he said.
     “Do as many things as you can, call up newspapers and see where you can go,” Billing advised. “The best way to learn is to get out there and do it.” Billing called up newspapers while still in college and worked for the Troy Daily News, the Dayton Daily News and a monthly sports magazine whenever they needed extra help. His only regret is not having applied for more varied internships, he said.
     Billing has known since his high school days that he wanted to be a sports writer. During high school, he worked for his hometown paper covering sports. Once he began attending Wright State, he immediately got onto The Guardian staff and stayed there four years. Billing said that he is happy with his position at the Dayton Daily News and he plans on staying there. “It's great to be able to tell someone's story, meet new people and, yes, get paid to watch games,” he said. -return-

Jill Bishop Article Edited by Jessica Lander

     A WSU communications alumna has been appointed to the position of director of marketing and development for Classical 88.1 Dayton Public Radio.Jill Bishop earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from WSU in June of 2001.
     “I’m thrilled to get the benefits of Jill’s talents at Classical 88.1. She brings a great knowledge of the regional arts community and she will work with enthusiasm and energy to increase the scope of our two radio stations, WDRP-FM 88.1 and WDPG-FM 89.9,” said George Woessner, General Manager of Classical 88.1 Dayton Public Radio.
     Classical 88.1 Dayton Public Radio was founded in 1986. It currently broadcasts performances of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, as well as Bach Society of Dayton and Chamber Music Yellow Springs on its two radio stations. -return- | -home page-

"40 Under 40" Awards

     Two of the nine Wright State graduates who received the most recent Dayton Business Journal “40 Under 40” awards hold Department of Communication degrees.
     William Diederich, who graduated with a communication studies degree in 1991, and Alexis Larsen, who received a mass communication degree in 1998, comprised a third of the awardees with undergraduate degrees from WSU. An additional three 40 Under 40 winners have backgrounds in WSU graduate programs.
     The award is presented annually by the weekly business newspaper to Dayton’s best and brightest young business, political and community leaders. Winners must be under the age of 40 and nominated based on leadership excellence in their field.
     Diederich is a vice president with Cables To Go, a manufacturer and world-wide distributor of computer cables and connectivity technology hardware. Larsen is editor of GO magazine, the weekly entertainment section of the Dayton Daily News.
     In an interview published in Isthmus two years ago, Diederich urged current students to expand their educational horizons beyond the classroom. “College is what you make it. I learned as much from my activities as in my classes,” said Diederich, who was WSU student government president his senior year.
     Larsen, interviewed for Isthmus in 2005, offered the same advice. “Being involved on campus can get you ahead by giving you experience under your belt,” said Larsen, who was editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Wright State’s student newspaper, in 1996. “The university has so much to offer,” she said. -return-