IRTS Homecoming Weekend 2021

Ever stumble across an old IRTS photo, or think fondly on your summer experiences when you see IRTS in your inbox? Here, we've collected some of your shared IRTS memories for the entire family to see! Follow the link below to RSVP for alumni brunch tomorrow, October 3rd @3pm ET: https://bit.ly/3ABpWbk

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Welcome to 2021 IRTS Homecoming!

2019 Fellows' Times Square photo

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From the first class of Fellows..

"In 1970, there was a flyer announcing the beginning of the annual “IRTF Internship Program” on the bulletin board of Radio, TV & Motion Pictures Department at UNC-Chapel Hill.  I wish I had a copy of my neatly-typed application because it was good enough to have been selected.

WOW.  Eight weeks immersed in broadcasting in NYC!

My folks lived in Princeton so I took the Suburban Transit bus for the daily commute.  I learned that if you were working in Manhattan, you wanted to live there too.

The best part was the two weeks I spent at WPIX-Channel 11.  NEW YORK’S VERY OWN.  Jim McCann was VP of Sales and he took me under his wing.  He encouraged me to move to NYC and seek a sales job in radio or TV immediately after I graduated from UNC.  And that’s what I did in 1974.

With the help of IRTS’s Steve Labunski, I interviewed to be sales AE at WCBS-AM, WNEW-AM, WHN and Blair TV.  Dick O’Donnell hired me as the first member of Blair TV’s new training program.  But they weren’t quite ready to run a formal training program so I got my own agency list a month later in the Blair-TV “Market Division”.

Obviously, IRTS had a HUGE influence on my life and career.  And marriage.

It was wonderful.  After 5 years in NYC at Blair TV and another 5 years at Blair Radio, and meeting the love of my life Mary Schuck Peiser, we moved to San Antonio to be Director of Sales at KTSA/KTFM for the legendary Bernie Waterman.

After 20 years in San Antonio, Mary and I moved to Pensacola to build a new, 100,000-watt FM station on 98.7.  Today we own WYCT/CatCountry98.7, WNRP/NewsRadio 1620 and WEBY/ESPN Pensacola 1330.  We are hyper-engaged in serving our local community and love our lives as BROADCASTERS."

-Dave Hoxeng, 1970 (inaugural class of IRTS Summer Fellows!)

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An unforgettable summer

"I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to be a part of IRTS. It gave me the tools, connections, and experiences to be ready for the first step in my career after graduating college. Not only did the program prepare me for professionally, but also introduced me to some amazing and brilliant friends along the way! It was TRULY an unforgettable summer."

-Deja Jackson, 2018

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Photos from IRTS alumni meets up in NYC (top) and LA (bottom)

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Launching pad

"Not only did IRTS provide me the summer of a lifetime, it truly was the best launching pad for my future. I was able to come into my first job with industry knowledge, refined networking skills, and the best support network. Seriously the best group of people, I get to live with another IRTS alumni and work closely with 2 others! So comforting to move to a new city with lots of close friendships waiting for you."

-Miranda Roberts, 2019

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Trudi Trueit, 1984 Fellow, at her IRTS internship with 1010 WINS radio station. Trudi is photographed next to 1010 WINS Public Affairs Director, Karin Erickson (left) in the first photo.

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Lifelong network of peers

"IRTS has provided a community that has supported me from college to my first full time job. I have a network of people that are able to aid me in career decisions for decades to come because of the Summer Fellowship program. I'm forever grateful for being apart of the 2018 cohort."

-Amanda Brown, 2018

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Collection of photos from 2018 Fellows

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People with passion for making a difference

"Being part of the IRTS community is one of the best opportunities I've been given to develop friendships with those who have similar interests and passions for making a difference."

-Lauren Carlson, 2018

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Still a huge part of my life

"I was a summer fellow in 2017, and the IRTS is still a huge part of my life! I got my foot in the door at A+E Networks thanks to an IRTS board member, and I have worked there ever since graduating college. The IRTS has continuously led me to incredible people and amazing opportunities in the media industry; I still catch up with other fellows, and I know that we will always support each other in our careers and life."

-Melanie Mueller

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1997 Fellow & Current IRTS Board Director Rajah Maples during her Fellowship

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Collection of photos from 2017 Fellows

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IRTS Class of 1999 visiting ABC News

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"Summer 2008 was one I will always remember...

...for so many great reasons! The entire experience was just amazing, and the fact that we were Lauren’s first group of fellows also made it special! I have made lifelong friendships from the program, and even if we don’t always talk with each other, I think everyone knows we have that special IRTS bond! One thing I specifically love from the summer was that I kept a quote book of all the weird, goofy, and ridiculous things we said that year! Always a great laugh!"

-Gina Johnson, 2008

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2017 Fellows at the annual summer Former Fellow reception

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1979 Fellows & others

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Happier hours in NYC

"After reflecting on IRTS Class of 2017 photos, I could not help but feel grateful for the friendships I found while expanding my professional network in this industry. Prior to IRTS, I did not know a single soul in the greater New York Area since I am a Midwest transplant. Fast-forward to now, and I have a consistent group of friends from IRTS that I can talk life & media at a moment's notice, which not many people can say. Anytime we get together for a happy hour, mixer, IRTS event, I find myself one of the last to call it a night because the people are so great. I owe it to the strong friendships and IRTS resources for making my reality a possibility. I cannot wait to see you all again in person and catching up just like old times."

-Nick Lewandowski, 2017

(below) 2017, 2018, & 2019 Fellows at NYC alumni meetup