Harriet

In 1975 I started attending Delaware Tech to study Journalism.

I had discovered a love for writing, and I was intrigued by the way two reporters from the Washington Post had uncovered the Watergate scandal and decided that would be a worthy career.

My required internship was with the News Journal, the state’s largest daily newspaper. I was working at the Sussex Bureau with Grayson Smith and Nancy Kesler, two local legends in my mind. They couldn’t have been more different, but both were great reporters and writers.

I started out rewriting obituaries. Then I tagged along with Grayson or Nancy to the Sussex County Council meetings where I endured endless debate on sewer systems, budgets and zoning disputes.

It was brutal. I couldn’t picture Woodward and Bernstein spending all day in a public hearing only to get a couple column inches in the paper the next morning.

I noticed the radio reporters (that almost-extinct breed of journalist actually thrived back then) would leave early and go cover something else. Those guys were actually writing 5 or 6 stories every day. Short snippets on multiple topics rather than a longer, more detailed, story on one thing.

I decided to ask my instructor, Harriet Smith, if Delaware Tech would allow me to do an internship with a broadcast focus rather than a print focus. She said they didn’t have the relationships or the metrics to do that, but if I wanted to try and set up an internship at a radio station she would help get it approved.

I went to WJWL/WSEA, the stations my parents listened to and asked to talk to the news director. His name was Jeff Pringle, and he welcomed me with open arms. Jeff taught me how to write broadcast style, and the myriad ways that radio reporters gathered the news and recorded the audio - called soundbytes - that they edited and used on the air.

I was hooked, and my career path was established.

As I look back, I realize how blessed I was that Harriet Smith was my instructor and that she was willing to completely change the systems that were in place and allow me to explore broadcast journalism.

At the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal. But knowing now the risk she was taking, the additional work she was adding to her plate, and understanding that making changes to curriculum and bureaucracy is difficult, I have really come to appreciate what she did. If you teach, or manage systems, you probably understand what I mean. Delaware Tech has produced many great broadcast journalism graduates in the years since.

Mrs. Smith went on to complete her Doctorate and later became Secretary of State in Delaware. She served on many boards including being an early board member with Delmarva Christian Schools, which our daughter Mary attends. Her vision and willingness to stretch the boundaries has impacted many lives in our area…including mine. We stay in touch, mostly via email and text, and I’m friends with her son Jimmy - who has also become a leader in our community.

Salute to Dr. Smith, and to all of those willing to stretch a little. To have vision and the tenacity to do the work to see it fulfilled. I am grateful.