If not for Walt Harrington, it’s a good bet St. Louisans are getting their morning TV traffic updates from an anchor other than Laura Hettiger.
“Without a doubt, I would not have the life I have today if it was not for Professor Harrington, the former dean of the College of Media,” says the two-degree UI alumna (BS ’09, MS ’10), an Emmy-winning reporter and “Great Day St. Louis” co-host.
“For the last six years, I have worked at KMOV-TV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis. If I didn’t meet Professor Harrington, I doubt I would still be in journalism today.
“He is the person who encouraged me to try different internships. He is the person who helped me get my writing published in a national magazine. He is the person who convinced me to stay at the U of I to get my master’s. He is the reason I changed from print journalism to broadcasting.
“And he is the person who encouraged me to take myself seriously.
“Professor Harrington: thank you for seeing something in me I did not see in myself. I owe so much of my career to you.”
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