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WIU Broadcasting students Brody Wooddell and Shanae Glasgow are the Thursday night anchors on NEWS3.
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WIU NEWS3 Anchors Have Hometown Connection

October 3, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – Among the numerous opportunities available to students in Western Illinois University's broadcasting program is the chance to anchor the WIU-TV NEWS3 broadcasts on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Friday mornings.

Students from the field of 200 broadcasting majors audition for one of the four open anchor spots, and this year two students from the same western Illinois high school were chosen to work together. WIU senior Shanae Glasgow and junior Brody Wooddell, both of Monmouth and both broadcasting majors, anchor the Thursday night newscast on News 3, and Glasgow works on the Friday morning show. Both students are graduates of Monmouth-Roseville high school.

The anchors are chosen for each academic year by NEWS3 Director Jasmine Crighton, who said she likes to partner seniors with underclassmen to create mentoring opportunities.

"I paired Shanae with Brody because I thought the on-air chemistry was there," Crighton said. "They each have a news beat they cover in Macomb, and they write and produce their own stories."

Wooddell said he enjoys learning from the program's seniors.

"I'm taking in as much as I can," he said.

Both Glasgow and Wooddell said they chose to attend Western because of the reputation of its broadcasting department.

"Western was the only school I applied to," Glasgow said. "I learned that the programs at other schools are not hands-on until your junior year. Here, you are hands-on right away."

Broadcasting department Chair Buzz Hoon said Glasgow was part of last year's news team that won numerous state and national awards. He added the odds of having two paired anchors from the same high school are "amazing."

Both Glasgow and Wooddell have high career goals, with Glasgow striving to some day work for the "Today" show and Wooddell working toward a job at "CNN."

Crighton said students take classes to learn the skills needed at NEWS3, however being a part of the shows is a volunteer effort.

"Students work about 15-20 hours on the newscasts and are learning about the reporting process," she said.

For more information about the WIU broadcasting program, visit wiu.edu/broadcasting.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing