Bill Clack is bringing real-world knowledge and connections into his journalism course

Bill Clack’s Journalism 3500/5500 course is called “Radio and Television Reporting and Writing,” and while learning those skills is vitally important for future journalists, Clack thinks it’s also important to add another element to the course by bringing in working media professionals. On Fridays, Clack invites guests working in television and radio, many of whom are Ohio University alumni, to the class via Teams for a news networking session where they share their work and wisdom with students.

“The visiting professionals prove to our students that what they are learning in lab settings is directly applicable and used in the real world,” said Clack. “The guests share work samples and show our students what they may accomplish using similar tools.”

Clack started as an assistant professor of instruction at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in 2023. Before that he worked for 15 years as a broadcast journalist and another 15 years teaching at the high school and college level. Clack graduated from Ohio University with bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and directing/acting in 1995. He later earned a master’s degree in film and digital arts from Chatham University.

“In my journalism career, I worked with and against a ton of great TV journalists back when I had hair, wore a suit, and carried a microphone,” said Clack with a chuckle. “Many are fellow Bobcats. Plus, several fellow members of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's Class of 1995 are still in the media business. When they found out I was coming back to Athens to teach, several reached out offering to help in any way they could. So, I started inviting them to my class virtually to take advantage of their amazing pool of knowledge.”

On Friday, March 8, Pittsburgh TV Anchor/Reporter Jennifer Tomazic (B.S.J., ’04) and her colleague, Videographer/Editor Tony Ruffolo joined the class to talk about storytelling. Tomazic has worked at WPXI for 11 years. She covers breaking news and files special reports on topics ranging from health/mental health to education. While at Ohio University, Tomazic reported and anchored at WOUB Public Media. She previously worked for TV stations in Parkersburg, WV, Columbia, SC, and Milwaukee, WI. Ruffolo is a highly accomplished photojournalist who worked in markets throughout Ohio before joining WPXI. He has worked at the station for 35 years. 

Before sharing examples of their work with the students, Tomazic took a moment to introduce herself to the students as a proud Bobcat.

“You being there and having the Ohio University graduate name behind you is going to help you so much. When I was starting out, it was a tremendous help. News directors know they are going to get a well-trained employee if you went to Ohio University,” said Tomazic. “I credit so much of my success getting here because I went to Ohio University. I will share my contact information with you all because the Bobcat connection is strong. If I get an email that starts off, ‘Hey fellow Bobcat,’ I do everything I can to help that person in this business because I am excited to help you guys.”

Tomazic and Ruffolo started the session by showing the class a feature story they recently worked on together about a woman who found a lost book and returned it to the library 50 years after she originally checked it out. The two talked about the reporter/photographer relationship and how the words and visuals come together to tell a good story.

“Tony’s job is to make the reporter’s work shine,” Clack explained to the class. “When you are working with a photographer, it’s a partnership.”

Clack hopes the students walk away from the sessions featuring media professionals with a new perspective on what they are learning in class.

“The students are learning trouble shooting tips our guests learned on the job and those tips enhance what we're teaching our students in the classroom,” said Clack. “They are also learning how important networking is in guiding them down their future career paths, and I hope the students see their future goals are obtainable and realize they can build a career that can last for decades.”