March 9, 2008 12:18 a.m.

After a busy 24 hours, I’m finally relaxing in the hotel room. With

conference sessions officially coming to a close and networking

opportunities to wait tomorrow, it is time to relax and enjoy being in

New York. Our conference experience has gone well, and now we can

simply reflect on what we’ve learned and be proud of what we’ve taught

our fellow aspiring media students.

Outside of the conference setting, one of the more gripping experiences

was our visit to Ground Zero. Late Friday night, we decided to utilize

our Metro cards and take the trip to the 9/11 site. All four of us

definitely felt a variety of emotions during the visit. Nearly 7 years

later, it is quite clear that many of the initial emotions have worn

off, or simply evolved. Personally, my feelings have changed in the

year that has passed since my last visit. The changes that have been

made in terms of the construction provide a point of change, as well as

the passing of time. The effects of 9/11 are clearly still felt today,

just in a very different way. I’m not sure if that is good or bad, but

I’d love to hear what the readers of this blog think of the notion.

Please use the commenting feature to discuss how your feelings about

9/11 have changed since that tragic day in 2001.

Also, please be patient with our blog posts. We’re dealing with a very

shaky wireless internet situation, so we’re trying to post as often as

possible. We’re having a great time blogging about our experiences in

the Big Apple. Hopefully you are enjoying experience as well.

– Rory Geraghty

March 8, 2008 6:15 p.m.

Today was busy and exciting. I had the chance to tour the Empire State Building in addition to the regular sessions I attended. It was the first time I toured the building, and there was about 0% visibility from the top.exciting. I most definitely benefited from the walk over there in the rain though. I toured the broadcasting facilities on the 82nd and 83rd floor. After 9/11, most New York stations moved a transmitter to this site because theirs were destroyed in the World Trade Center. Our group walked around with a Clear Channel technician and learned how all the signals work and how they are maintained.

Later, I walked over to 23rd Street to interview Ron Kuby. His cousin, Jeffery Miller attended Kent State during May 4th 1970. Kuby’s cousin was not the Jeffery Miller who died that day.but their family had to wait for a phone call all day and worry. The story he told me was moving and I will be using it in our May 4th coverage.

Now, hopefully we’re off to dinner. I’m thinking Italian.

– Amanda Kelley

March 8, 2008 4:03 a.m.

Ground Zero: A Breathtaking Experience

As tonight came to a close, the four of us decided to go out into the city for another adventure.this one to Ground Zero. We decided to catch the subway downtown to visit the area, one I would be seeing for the first time. After getting lost on the subway (we ended up in Brooklyn…) we walked over to the memorial. It was lightly raining and it was about 2 a.m., but those details really don’t matter.

The memorial designs hang on the fence surrounding the construction sight, and a list of the “9/11 Heros” spreads across a very large section of what will be the new entrance. As I looked up into the sky I tried so hard to picture how tall the World Trade Center was, and what it looked like in the sky on that day. What I could imagine just gave me nightmares.

Looking into the two holes left in the ground, I thought back to where I was at the last time there were buildings there.I was in the eighth grade sitting in Ms. Pasquoli’s Social Studies class at J.E. Harrison Middle School. Rumors of what happened began to spread, but I didn’t really know what had happened yet. I most definitely didn’t understand what kind of impact the event would have on our country.

I caught myself just staring and unable to look away as tears began to form in my eyes.I wanted to do something.to help someone.to reach out to a family that was effected by that tragic day.or just anything to stop what is going on in our world. I walked away from Ground Zero with a little more perspective on 9/11 I think.but I don’t think I ever really want to go back.

I’ll end this by saying anyone who hasn’t been to Ground Zero, GO! Nothing compares to seeing this tragic sight in the middle of a thriving city. My heart goes out to all those who died on 9/11, and who continue to fight in the War on Terror.may all these wrongs be righted some day.

– Amanda Kelley

March 7, 2008 10:45 p.m.

After a long day of panels we went out on the town for a little wining and dining. Well at least the dining part . Running in the rain with some friends from the radio station at York College in Pennsylvania, we happened upon the Tick Tock Diner, a little restaurant with decent prices. Settled down for a nice dry dinner while exchanging ideas to better our station.

After indulging in some quality mass-produced food, we took to the streets of New York. The rain was still coming down, and after the first couple of droplets had hit the brim of my new Element fitted hat, I realized I needed to find a quality New York street vendor pedaling the top-of-the-line black umbrellas. If you can’t comprehend sarcasm I apologize for that last sentence. The purchase of the quality two-dollar umbrella led to at least 10 minutes of dryness, but that ended with the first strong wind. Now, that umbrella turned into the newest piece of trash in a 34th street trashcan.

We ended our night with a stop in the Foot Action shoe and clothing store … leading to a internal fight with myself over whether or not to purchase a brand new hoodie. I decided against it, which is a good thing … this college kid shouldn’t be spending money foolishly … Oh well, tomorrow looks amazing! I will be going to panels exclusively set up for music directors and assistants. The night could be exciting as well … The New York Knickerbockers play The Portland Trailblazers across the street from our hotel. That could lead to a fun event. I will check back in tomorrow with more information from the conference.

Musical Selection of the night: Rihanna, Umbrella … haha sarcasm again

– Daniel Doherty

March 7, 2008 8:09 p.m.

After a long day of productive IBS conference sessions, it is dinner time. We’re waiting for our food at a smallish diner located a few blocks from our hotel. We’ll be braving the rainy weather tonight with hopes of finding some form of entertainment that will also keep us dry.

Saturday will bring another long day of conference sessions, but I’m already looking forward to it. Being able to network with so many people that are passionate about the same things I am is quite invigorating. Getting away from the typical daily grind for a few days is also refreshing in its own right. I encourage anyone to attend conferences relevant to their field if given the opportunity. It really puts things into perspective on the home front.

I’ll check back in with everyone in the blogosphere soon. If you happen to be in the Kent area, stay safe amongst all the snow.

– Rory Geraghty

March 7, 2008 4:17 p.m.

Conference Session #2: Radio Station Relations with Your Campus and Community. I discussed this topic with a wide range of college radio station representatives – some from firmly established FM stations, some from stations working to get off the ground. One of the obligations of an FCC licensed radio station is to serve the community. Although BSR is not FCC licensed, we still aspire to follow the same rules licensed stations are required to. To better serve the campus community, many licensed college stations offer the University President a radio show . and many happily accept the offer.

I began to wonder why other universities can have the president hosting their own show, and why President Lester Lefton needs to be asked numerous times for a short interview spot on one of BSR’s shows? I would be very interested to hear President Lefton on the air once a week . or maybe even once a month. What better way to truly relate to the students? He could take callers, IMs, and studio guests. Yes, I understand the president and his department would most likely be leery of accepting the offer; but, I truly believe the show would help him gain support from the student body. It somewhat reminds me of the days of fireside chats with FDR. People love that stuff, so why not? Is it too much to ask? Is it too big of a risk? What do you think Mr. President?

– Amanda Kelley

March 7, 2008 3:30 p.m.

I’ve been through two sessions thus far at the National College Radio Conference at Hotel Pennsylvania. Walking into a session called “The Demise of The Local Newsroom,” I was hoping to learn something to bring back and improve what we are already working on in room 240 of Franklin Hall. Instead, I felt like I ran the session, or at least was a main member of the panel. Congratulations Kent State University . or should I credit this to my classmates and student leaders? Our convergence work impressed and echoed what News Directors and reporters from Chicago, New York and New Jersey had to say. I am confident that after the bugs are all worked out, we will be a national leader in student media.

The most exciting contact of the day – Ron Kuby. He is a former morning show personality in New York City. More importantly, he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His 1960’s and 70’s upbringing clearly is evident in his life of political activism. I briefly spoke to Kuby and quickly realized his passion for the events surrounding May 4, 1970. The reporter in me wanted to learn more, and I am planning to meet with him sometime Saturday. Listen in to BSR’s May 4 coverage if you would like to know more about him, I’m sure I will be using this interview within our programming for that day. I can’t wait to see what story he has to tell.

Back to more work in NYC . stay tuned.

– Amanda Kelley

March 6, 2008 11:19 p.m.

Walking down the street in Times Square on the way to a store, I came across a reporter from NY1 shooting a stand-up. I couldn’t resist stopping and talking with her. As nervous as I was, I waited until she was done with her work and approached the reporter and crew. 47-year-old Lily Jamali was reporting on the bombing in Times Square earlier today. “I started out in a small market in California,” Jamali said. “It’s better to get more hands on work and work your way up into a station like NY1.”

I realized tonight that everything I heard on the streets of New York City, I have heard in Kent, Ohio. We have professors that truly are pointing us in the right direction. Sometimes it’s just hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when we are constantly focused on one thing . we seem to always work project to project.

As the conversation came to a close, I was certainly glad I gathered enough nerve to approach the reporter. I realized not only did I gather two contacts at NY1 for the future, but also a list of three places I had to visit before I left New York . hopefully I can see them all. It’s amazing what you can learn when you just give someone the opportunity to talk.

– Amanda Kelley

March 6, 2008 6:05 p.m.

After a stressed out week of elections, school work and midterms . I finally made it. I’m sitting in a huge hotel room across from Madison Square Garden trying to figure out what to have for dinner and anxiously awaiting tomorrow’s Intercollegiate Broadcast System Conference. I couldn’t be happier. Getting here truly was an adventure. Riding in an H2 from the airport to The Hotel Pennsylvania with a guy from Chile is only the beginning.

A night in New York City with no specific schedule to follow … the sky is the limit. As soon as we decide who is going to accept Black Squirrel Radio’s first award that I know of, we will be heading out for some fun.

– Amanda Kelley

March 6, 2008 5:05 p.m.

So we embark on our journey to the wonderful Hotel Pennsylvania in, a drum roll please, a Hummer H2! That’s right, we know how to travel in style here in NYC. We were standing in line for our turn to take a spin on the wonderful public taxi service of New York when we were solicited for a ride from the man in black. No, not Johnny Cash, but a driver of the Moon Limousine Service…

The best part of the story, as we are walking to the man-in-black’s car a message comes over the sound system “Attention, please do not accept unsolicited offers for taxi services …” It looks like we missed that message, or just chose to ignore it. College kids need to learn for themselves sometimes … right?

Musical Selection of the taxi ride: Toni Braxton, Secrets. Hey back off … It’s what was being played in the H2.

– Danny Doherty

March 6, 2008 4:53 p.m.

We just took off from Akron-Canton airport. We are seated comfortably on a

medium-sized plane that is near capacity. Things are going well, aside

from my embarrassing oversight with my luggage situation. No, I didn’t

forget any unmentionables.

I’m just an idiot. Keep in mind, I’ve only flown twice in my life before today’s flight. However, I made a mistake that I hadn’t made in the past. For some

reason, it didn’t dawn on me to pack my toiletries in my luggage that was

checked, as opposed to my carry-on. So at the moment, I’m missing everything that was in a bottle containing more than 4 oz of liquid. Safety first, I suppose. I’ll have to stop at a convenience store when

we land in the city. Aside from the inconvenience caused due to my

negligence, I’ve already heard plenty of barbs from my fellow travelers. Well-deserved criticism is always welcome. I’m not disheartened by my mishap — I simply feel stupid. I’ll check back in

with KentNewsNet.com after we get settled in our hotel in Manhattan. Now it is time to enjoy the remainder of the flight.

– Rory Geraghty

March 6, 2008 4:36 p.m.

We’ve gotten off to a great start here, and we haven’t even arrived in New York.

Upon our arrival at the Akron-Canton Airport in North Canton, Ohio, we were greeted by a couple needed doses of laughter. Of the four of us going I guess Programming Director Halley Miller, also known as Halz, and I are the only two who know how to pack for a flight. And Halz is deathly afraid of flying. General Manager Rory Geraghty, whom we all know as Biv, and News Director Amanda Kelley, also known as Kells, were pulled to the side and questioned about the contents of their luggage. Who knew that full size bottles of lotion, shaving cream and toothpaste couldn’t be taken on in your carry on case? Obviously not Biv. I’m just sayin’.

We’re just hanging out in the air currently. I do have to add that the lady who cut my hair when I was a kid is on the flight with us. That’s kind of weird.

I’m excited to see what is in store for us this year, as we have been able to gain a lot of knowledge and insight from this conference in the past.

I’ll be updating this throughout the trip. I hope when I write my next blog I have on a Bathing Ape hoodie. Again, just sayin’.

Musical selection for the plane ride: Paulson, Calling On You.

– Daniel Doherty

March 6, 2008 2:33 p.m.

First of all, I’m very pleased to be taking this trip to New York on

behalf of Black Squirrel Radio and Kent State University. I’d also like

to thank you for reading our updates – I’m sure we’ll have plenty to

talk about with the variety of experiences that simply being at a

national conference in New York City provides. I’m also pleased to be in

the company of 3 of BSR’s finest directors: Programming Director Halley

Miller, Music Director Danny Doherty and News Director Amanda Kelley.

It will be a great trip.

– Rory Geraghty