Jackson 24/7 Celebrates 1,000th episode
Union University students produced the 1,000th episode of local news program “Jackson 24/7” on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m.
The show airs daily on EPlusTV 6 at noon, 4 p.m., 10 p.m. and the following day at 7:30 a.m. The content on “Jackson 24/7” is not strictly Union University-related, but also local news and events.
Steve Beverly, associate professor of communication arts and lead adviser over “Jackson 24/7,” said his goals from the start have been to educate his students. He says that his purpose in teaching is to educate and inspire a passion for broadcasting.
Since the show first aired on Oct. 27, 2008, 1,100 guests have appeared on the show for interviews and segments, including Betty White, Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and several others.
Regularly interviewed guests on the show include Joanne Stephenson, professor of psychology; Amy Elizer, extension agent and county director at University of Tennessee extension; and David S. Dockery, president of Union University.
The episode was an hour-long celebration for the students and their hard work.
“It is a huge accomplishment when you think about it,” Ray Eaton, broadcasting technician, said. “The students work very hard, and it shows.”
Jacob Melder, president of Union Broadcasting Society and senior broadcast journalism major, said that the show displays the quality and dedication of Union broadcasting students.
“It sends a pretty strong statement to the school, prospective students and potential donors that we are serious about what we do,” Melder said.
The program showcased the best of “Jackson 24/7,” as well as special interviews from Dockery, Elizer, Stephenson and the other regulars on the show. The program also included calls to broadcasting alumni to see how the show helped their careers.
Students agree that the show is not just a class, but an environment that makes learning fun and enjoyable. Kacee Enzor, sophomore media communications major, said she wants to be a Southeastern Conference sports director after she graduates, and Beverly has given her some of the best experience a student could get.
“I think I’m most looking forward to this huge milestone for the department,” Enzor said. “It is a good sign of success for the show because I don’t know if everyone knew it would last this long or be this big of a hit.”
Beverly hopes the community sees the hard work that the student put in to the broadcast every day and says what they do is not just another news broadcast, but an informative, hard-hitting news broadcast.
“This is not just putting on a television show we put on every day,” Beverly said. “We need to look at what we do as a service to the community because what we do is help people become better informed and make better decisions in their community.”
