College Campus Tour

It's back to the classroom, as "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf" heads out to Indiana college campuses this fall!   The first stop was my alma mater, Ball State University.   What a special time we had in the David Letterman Building.   I met excited telecommunications, journalism and public relations students, who were wide-eyed and ready to step into an industry that is rapidly changing everyday.

To say that the students energized me is an understatement.  We talked about the power and the responsibility of our written words and broadcasts.   That's when I was able to share about the impact of the Carol Jenkins murder investigation and the passion that fueled me to pen "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf!"

I remembered being those students, dreaming about working in local news and telling powerful stories. I never dreamed though that I would be able to see something as dramatic as a 33-year old murder mystery solved, in part, because my station dared to dig a little deeper into the investigation.

It's been decades since I last sat in a classroom as a college student at Ball State.  But I can honestly say I learn something new every single day, as I continue to work at my craft, and take on the role as a published author.  My beginnings are humble, but now as I look back, I treasure a rich experience at a university that taught me above all things to climb over the obstacles.

I told the students about Dr. Darrell Wible.  My telecommunications law professor who used to drill me in class to see if I was prepared.  I didn't like it back then, but he's someone I will never forget. (He's also got a big fan in David Letterman!)  I appreciate Dr. Wible, because he wanted to draw out the best in me from the very beginning.  And now even in his 80's (I'm guessing)  he's still right there sending encouragement my way.   The other day I got a big box in the mail.  It was two of his published books.  In one of them "The Letterman Gang" he mentions receiving a letter of thanks from me after I landed my first job.   He had no idea I had already purchased a copy from the BSU library.   But it was the thought that counted, especially since he is recovering from a stroke.

Still he wrote:  "A book?  A real achievement.  Wonderful -- The Girl in the Yellow Scarf."

Thanks Dr. Wible.  Thanks Ball State University.  And thanks to the students who made the kick-off to my college book tour so special!!  Next...stay tuned.