100FALL LEADERSHIP In A Dr. Ginger Blackstone is recruited to serve in The Weather Channel control room during the threat of Hurricane Ida. ANCHORS AWAY Dr. Ginger Blackstone runs over the script with senior Emily Sundermeier. Scripts were written by anchors on staff. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall BEGINNING IN MAY 2021, associate professor of communication Ginger Blackstone spent her summer working for The Weather Channel in Atlanta, serving primarily as a script and banner writer. The opportunity presented itself during an exchange with a former colleague. “Never burn a bridge,” Blackstone advised. She explained that her connections from her days as a supervising executive producer at CNN allowed her to return to the newsroom for a few months. “It’s important and empowering to know that you have job skills that will translate in more than one way,” Blackstone said, elaborating on her transition from working with students to working with professionals. While Blackstone enjoyed her time in Atlanta reconnecting with old friends, she was surprised at her happiness in returning to Searcy for the 2021-22 school year. However, her relationship with The Weather Channel did not end that summer. As threats of Hurricane Ida loomed over the Midsouth, Blackstone was recruited once again to serve in The Weather Channel’s control room during the second week of the fall 2021 semester. With only a few days to spare, Blackstone returned to Atlanta for the weekend, working Friday through Monday, drove back to Searcy on Tuesday and resumed classes the following day. “She took time off from the busiest time of the semester to go and help out in a unique situation,” senior Jordan Crisco said. “Even when she is pressed for time, she is always willing to help out.” While her time covering Hurricane Ida was brief, the experience took its toll on Blackstone. Her drive home made her feel pensive as she saw vehicles evacuating from affected areas. Sophomore Kiersten Keiser experienced the grief of being from one of those affected areas. “My town doesn’t look like home,” Keiser said. “This is the worst storm south Louisiana had seen. I couldn’t talk to my parents, so I had no idea what was happening. It was terrifying.” Blackstone was grateful to have had the opportunity to aid during the hurricane. The news coverage she helped broadcast helped increase the amount of awareness about the storm. “It speaks to the importance of what we do,” Blackstone said. “There is power in the media.” WRITTEN BY JULIE RECORD
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