Ernie Anastos and Nicholas Ballasy

Earlier this month, Rider University junior Nicholas Ballasy of Warrington, PA experienced what most professionals vie for in their respective fields: recognition for a job well done.

Ballasy, a journalism major, was one of three national finalists in the National Broadcasting Society’s (NBS) production competition. Rider’s chapter of the National Broadcasting Society was started under the leadership of Ballasy at the Rider University Network (RUN). He received accolades in the Best Public Affairs Show category for his “On the Issues” interview with human rights activist Irshad Manji last October as part of the university’s celebration of Unity Days.

Rider sophomore Elizabeth Mielnicki of Lawrenceville, a communication major, was also a finalist for her Midnight MAACness promotional piece in the Promotional Video category. Ballasy attended the annual National Broadcasting Society convention in Chicago for a week of seminars and guest speakers. Mielnicki was unable to attend the convention.

“It was an honor to be there,” said Ballasy, who produces “On the Issues” with the assistance of Jonathan Schulter of Kendall Park, a Rider junior communication major, who attended the convention. “Being a national finalist was quite the accomplishment. This was the first time students from Rider submitted entries to this national competition. The hard work paid off. I spent long nights and countless hours in the television studio planning and editing programs. Jon has filmed at all hours of the day with me in various locations. Receiving this nomination validated the endless hours of effort.”

Schulter is in charge of technical production for “On the Issues” which is broadcast on the Rider University Network (RUN), the campus television station and public access television station across Central New Jersey. It will soon air in Bucks County.

Ballasy is president of the RUN (the campus television network) and the Rider chapter of the NBS. He is currently interning with ABC News at World News Tonight in New York City. “We met people from all over the country at the convention,” he said.

“Many in attendance did not know where Rider was so we were able to educate them about our school and compare how television stations operate,” added Ballasy. “We gained a good sense about competition in the broadcast industry on the collegiate and professional levels.”

Ballasy received a grant to attend the convention after completing an application process, which included submitting an essay and two letters of recommendation. One of the high points of attending, he maintained, was hearing a keynote address by Ernie Anastos, an Emmy Award winning journalist and current Fox 5 anchor in New York, who spoke on how to succeed in the broadcasting field, and Bob Iger, CEO of ABC/Disney, who discussed the future of the electronics media and upcoming projects. Ballasy interviewed Anastos for a news package to air on the Rider television network.

While at the convention, Ballasy and Schulter filmed a feature package for the News at Rider, a show on the Rider University Network. They spotlighted the original Billy Goat Tavern, made famous by the 1978 John Belushi “Saturday Night Live” Skit, “Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!”

The tavern’s rich history made it a perfect subject for a feature piece, said Ballasy. “The management was extremely welcoming. They answered all of our questions and let us film with no questions asked.”

You can watch the Billy Goat tavern feature piece and a news segment about the convention on this week’s edition of the News at Rider on Channel 20 or at http://comm.rider.edu/run.

 

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