Matt Lauer is a proud Ohio University alum, that’s for sure.
The "Today" show co-anchor has always found a way to mention his alma mater on-air, including bragging about the Marching 110 as it marched past Macy’s at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. But who would have guessed he could still sing "Stand Up and Cheer" after some 25 years?
During an interview with Ohio University senior Lynn Walsh, Lauer did just that, pausing between stories about his college days to break into song.
The interview is posted online in two parts at the college news network ThePalestra.com.
A broadcast journalism major originally from Columbus, Walsh snagged the exclusive interview during her spring quarter internship with "Today," where she had the chance to work behind the scenes of the highest-rated morning news show. Ohio University sends one intern each quarter to the "Today" show, thanks to an arrangement with Lauer.
During her nine weeks at Studio 1A in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Walsh did everything from coordinating entire show segments -- her favorite was a Locks of Love charity event -- to working the overnight production shift.
It was, she said, the perfect internship for her.
"I have always watched the 'Today' show," said Walsh, who recently received the Richard O. Linke Journalism Scholarship awarded annually to one outstanding senior. "Working there is something I've always wanted to do."
With her experience, Walsh is in a great position to pursue her dreams as a journalist. She is the incoming Senior Class Council president, past president of the Student Alumni Board and has reported for the Athens city government channel for three years.
Next year, she'll serve as one of The Palestra's Ohio University reporters. The network, based in Columbus, hires reporters at colleges across the nation to write, shoot and edit stories about their campuses. New stories are posted regularly; Ohio University students should click on "School Pages" and select "Ohio" for exclusive news.
But if all this doesn't give Walsh an edge, Lauer's advice to journalists is sure to help: "Read, read, read," Lauer said during his interview with Walsh. "Be a voracious reader. Get any information you can. Be curious."
Lauer, who said it was at Ohio University that he took an interest in broadcasting, also advises students to enjoy their college years and take advantage of all the university has to offer. "Going to a school like OU turned out to be a great thing for me," he said.
A native of Columbus, Walsh said she's determined to follow in Lauer's footsteps. Once she graduates, she said, "I'll look for a job, and basically, I'll go wherever it takes me. I'd like to work as a reporter and work my way up."
Click here for part two of Lauer's video interview.
Mariel Betancourt, MS '07, is the associate editor of Ohio Today.
