From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumna Ann Thomas is the executive producer of the top-rated Paul W. Smith morning drive radio program on Michigan’s premier radio station, WJR Detroit.

Ann discusses her award-winning and Internet-based program called Women Who Lead. Ann talks about her own work/life balancing act and reflects on her time at MSU and how it impacted her.

She talks about the mission of the Paul W. Smith Show and about the strategy she employs when selecting the segments for the program. And she offers her advice to young people who want to pursue careers in broadcasting. Thomas also talks about the changes she’s seen in the radio industry over her 25-plus years at WJR.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 19:58 – 11.4 mb mp3

On video – Thomas talks about the state of journalism and PR in 2009:

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: A conversation with Detroit Public Television president and general manager Rich Homberg from the 2008 Mackinac Policy Conference.

Rich talks about the mission of Detroit Public Television, and he talks about the challenges and opportunities facing both commercial and public television. He also talks about the transition from analog to digital television broadcasts coming in February 2009.

Homberg offers his advice to young people who are seeking careers in broadcasting.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 16:08 – 9.2 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: From the 2008 Mackinac Policy Conference, a wide-ranging discussion with Detroit Free Press editorial page editor Ron Dzwonkowski.

The conversation from the porch of Grand Hotel ranges from alternative energy to keeping more of Michigan’s college graduates in the state and from the Kwame Kilpatrick scandal to the Presidential race. And Ron assesses the ever-changing dynamics in the newspaper industry.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:06 – 10.4 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Kent Love is Director of Communications for MSU’s renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The MSU Federal Credit Union has made a gift of $2.5 million to, in part, name Wharton Center’s new MSU Federal Credit Union Institute of Arts and Creativity, which will provide meaningful, participatory learning programs both at Wharton Center and throughout Michigan for audiences of all ages.

Love talks about the mission of Wharton Center and of the new Institute. He describes the physical changes that will take place to the building itself and the artist residencies that will serve as the cornerstone of the new Institute.

He also talks about the current state of Wharton Center and of the entire performing arts industry. He discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Wharton Center and peers into the Center’s future.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 15:57 – 9.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon visits as spring semester and the 2007/2008 school year come to a close. She reflects back on the year and provides updates on the Year of Arts and Culture, the Broad Museum, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, MSU in Dubai, and other MSU initiatives.

She talks about the importance of ongoing fundraising efforts and about MSU’s Office of Biobased Technologies. President Simon talks about the pivotal role that science and technology play in the development of a new economy for Michigan and the United States. And she assesses the state of the world that MSU’s class of 2008 is entering.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:37 – 11.8 mb mp3