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Anna Townsend, BJ '01

What have you faced in your career path so far?
My first job after graduation was at KNOP-TV in North Platte, Neb., as weekday evening anchor/reporter/producer and fill in weathercast. It was only a market 209, but I learned a lot, and stayed for my two-year contract. I then decided to move on to KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., weekday evening anchor and producer. I stayed for my two-year contract as well. Finally, I started as "Good Morning Cincinnati" anchor in June 2005 here at WKRC-TV.

What was the best class you took at J-School and why?
That's hard. Broadcast 2 was fun, after you realized Greeley wasn't scary. Cyndi Frisby's advertising class was fun, too.

What is one of your favorite J-School memories?
Maybe not the favorite, but the one memory that I take with me is when Gov. Mel Carnahan died. I was a senior, and his plane accident happened on the day I was already scheduled to report at KOMU. I headed down to Jefferson City with another reporter. It was the first time I had to deal with a huge news story. There were stations from St. Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Springfield. It was very overwhelming and hard not to get caught up in the emotion of the day. I learned a lot, and it definitely stuck with me.

What advice do you have for current students?
When you get out of school, you realize that it is so much easier. At KOMU, the deadlines are even stricter than newspaper, because you've got to have your stuff in on time or your story isn't going to air. And that story is the only little piece of your entire 12-hour day. So when I went out and got my first job in small town Nebraska, and they're like, "Oh, if you're not ready, we'll just run it tomorrow or the next day." And I couldn't believe it! So at KOMU, they definitely instill in you that level of work so when you go out and get a job, you're prepared. And even in each job after your first one, you as a Missouri grad stand out. We come with a different, higher level of knowledge. You know what to do and how to handle things. You just hold yourself to higher standards.

What woman in the media do you admire most and why?
I really like Elizabeth Vargas. I just like the way she delivers the news, very professional but friendly.

What is something about you that may surprise people?
I love talking to people, but I'm not crazy about the spotlight. I know making public appearances is a part of the job, and that's why I do them. There are some people who live for these events. I'm not one of them. I figure most people would rather start their meal than listen to me talk about whatever as the Emcee. Still, they are usually fun.

What were your favorite "hang-outs" between classes and during the weekends while attending Mizzou?
Between classes I went to Memorial Union. I loved the lounge there and it had great coffee. If I was killing time, then the University Bookstore. With one swipe of my Student ID, I had CDs, make-up, candles, and anything else you can imagine! And on the weekends, I enjoyed Quinton's or Shiloh's, when it's warm outside.