‘ETVNews’ alumni return to the studio that made them

“ETVNews,” Eastern’s live, student-run television news broadcast, has long been a staple of the University’s communication program. Professor Andrew Utterback, advisor for ETVNews (formerly News22), hosted an alumni reunion on April 30, drawing a robust turnout of former collegiate news anchors and producers.

Hosted in the ETVNews studio in Communication 114, the event served as an opportunity for networking and social interaction between alumni, who reminisced on their studio days and discussed career updates, many of which involve professional broadcasting positions. The group then viewed a live ETVNews broadcast.

“The only rule of ETVNews is that you come back and help the next group of students with advice and guidance,” wrote Utterback. “All of the alumni do this, and it is a testament to the character of the community. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them.”

Different look, same spirit

Members of the group — both recent and longtime graduates — noted the evolution of the student-run production, which reflects developments in the broadcast news industry.

“It was honestly incredible to see how much ETVNews has grown while still feeling so familiar at its core,” wrote Megan Saunders ’15, an Emmy-winning former journalist/producer and current media strategist at Look Left Marketing. Saunders served ETVNews as an anchor and editorial anchor, later becoming executive producer and joining the club’s E-Board.

“When I was a student, we were focused primarily on traditional broadcast production,” wrote Saunders. “Now, students are navigating a streaming-first world in real time. … They have adapted to an industry that looks completely different than it did when I was in college.”

She continued: “At the same time, what struck me most was how much of the spirit of ETVNews hasn’t changed at all. … That immediately brought me back to my own time there.”

“A lot has changed in a year,” said Griffin Davis ’25, a former camera operator for ETVNews and current editor for NBC Connecticut. “Back then … it was very structured — you had the Eastern block, the national block, weather, sports, end of the show.

“Now, it’s like a variety show. … It’s more of a unique student vision, segment-to-segment, rather than this uniform identity of ETV.”

Shawn McGuigan ’24, a classmate and colleague of Davis’s at both ETV and as an editor at NBC Connecticut, echoed these sentiments while praising the care taken toward a high-end product. “Members of the team have not only increased the amount of packages and personally-edited videos tenfold, but the quality of each video has also increased as such,” he wrote.

Forging lasting skills and relationships

Julia Florence ’22, communications manager for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, reflected on her formative years at ETV, where she served as an anchor, reporter, producer, and E-Board member.

“First and foremost, it brought me out of my shell,” she wrote. “It encouraged me to get to know people on a deeper level, stay curious, and always look for unique angles and meaningful stories to capture.”

She continued: “There are so many roles essential to communications to explore, and the industry isn't going anywhere. Having the versatility and range of skills that ETV instills has been a major asset as I continue building my career and serving the area where I grew up.”

Saunders added: “There’s something unique about spending hours in a control room, problem-solving under pressure, and building shows as a team. Those experiences create friendships and professional bonds that last long after graduation.”