Zac Ross the On-Air Coordinator for WOUB Center for Public Media was recently selected for a PBS Next Generation Scholarship.
Photo by Maisie Crow

By Kristen Rapin, kr323705@ohio.edu
Published Thursday, February 19, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio (Feb. 19, 2009)—Zac Ross, WOUB’s on-air coordinator, has won the PBS 2009 Next Generation Scholarship, awarded to individuals beginning their careers in broadcast engineering.

“I really feel quite honored,” said Ross. “When you think about it being nationwide, and you’re one of only ten selected, it’s incredibly humbling.”

The scholarship covers the $500 entry fee into the 2009 Technology Conference in Las Vegas. The conference runs from April 15-18, and serves as a forum for education and professional development. Ross will get to attend seminars, tutorials and other presentations designed to strengthen his professional skills.

In a letter of recommendation to PBS, Director and General Manager Carolyn Bailey Lewis said, “Zac’s understanding of telecommunications, technology, operations and traffic distinguishes him as the perfect candidate for this scholarship. He embodies the spirit of next generation of public broadcasting professionals.”

Ross graduated in from Ohio University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in communication in video production. He worked on “Fridays Live” for four years, serving as executive producer for the 2006-2007 academic year and head writer from 2004 to 2006.