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Alums Have All the Bases Covered at CBS3

L–R: Brian Schnee ’13, Neil Morneau ’13, Nikki Anderson ’13, and Andy Jennings ’01
L–R: Brian Schnee ’13, Neil Morneau ’13, Nikki Anderson ’13, and Andy Jennings ’01

“Now we have four” said Andy Jennings ’01, referring to the number of Keene State College alums now working at WSHM-TV CBS 3 in Springfield, MA.

Whether it’s in the control room, in front of a camera, in the back tackling technical problems, or out in the community making a sales pitch, Keene State alums have all the bases covered at the station that covers Western Mass and the Pioneer Valley. “I honestly can’t think of a position or a department that doesn’t have a Keene State alum in there,” added Neil Morneau ’13.

Jennings was the first to arrive. Overseeing the station’s technical department, the Concord, NH, native came to CBS 3 in 2012 after working at several stations, including WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH, WSCH-TV in Portland, Maine, Fox 25 in Boston, and WFSB-TV in Hartford. “He’s like the technical genius at CBS 3,” said Morneau about Jennings.

Hailing from Southwick, Mass., Nikki Anderson ’13 came on board right after graduating from Keene State. Originally hired to assist the station manager and work in national sales, Anderson now holds the title of account executive at the station, handling local sales. Morneau, from Bristol, CT, and Brian Schnee ’13, who hails from neighboring Burlington, round out the Keene State contingent at the station. Morneau, who began working at the station in June of 2013, is a technical producer, while Schnee joined the station this fall as reporter/multi-media journalists.

Given the age difference, it’s not surprising that Jennings never crossed paths with any of his fellow Keene State alums until they showed up at the station. What is surprising is the fact that Morneau, a film studies major, and Schnee, a journalism major, never met—despite being on a small campus and in the same graduation class. “We had some of the same classes and teachers and even had a lot of the same mutual friends, but I didn’t know Neil,” said Schnee.

On the other hand, Schnee and Anderson, a communication major, were far from strangers. “Brain and I used to hang around with the same group of friends in College,” said Anderson. “It was funny, he texted me and said guess what? I’m coming to the station for an interview, and I said no way. At the time, I was working the door as the station manager’s assistant, so I told him I’ll let you in.”

Four routes, one destination

All four alums took different routes to the station. Originally a film major, Jennings switched gears after graduating. “I always thought I might end up in Los Angeles or New York City, but I became more interested in TV after college,” he said. “I work in the production department here, so some of the things I learned in college about styles, pacing, and framing in film all play into what I do today.”

Adding to his skill set at every station he worked, Jennings, likes the leadership responsibilities in his current position. “That’s really what I was interested in doing,” he said. “I always gravitated toward leadership roles and calling all the shots for the team.”

Morneau, who also works in the production and technical side of the business, said he learned his craft while taking a TV broadcast class with Assistant Professor of Journalism Chad Nye. “His class really prepared me for my job,” said Morneau. “We took turns reporting, anchoring, and doing the behind-the-scenes work I do now. It’s like all the jobs I learned separately came together as one.”

Anderson came to Keene State after a strong recommendation from a friend as well as her piano teacher and fellow alum Amy (Patryn) Kimble ’08, who took her for a tour of campus. Learning about the opening at the station through connections she made after taking part in a couple of valuable internships, Anderson has thrived in the competitive sales market, using her persuasive and convincing approach to get advertisers to sign up.

The last alum to join the station, Shnee found his niche at Keene State, becoming the voice of the Owls on countless web broadcasts during his four years at the College. “I know there are broadcast programs at bigger schools with more name recognition, but I’ll put the hands-on and real-life experience I got at Keene State against anyone,” said Schnee. “I just needed someone to take a chance on me once I graduated.”

Begin pull-quote…I know there are broadcast programs at bigger schools with more name recognition, but I’ll put the hands-on and real-life experience I got at Keene State against anyone. …end pull-quote
– Brian Schnee ’13

Schnee got that chance, first at ESPN NH and now at CBS 3 in Springfield. However, there were a few changes that came with the move. Not only was he switching from radio to television, but also from sports to news. Schnee has transitioned well to the visual medium, covering a variety of news stories while acquiring valuable skills that will benefit him down the road. Currently working as a reporter, Schnee hasn’t totally abandoned the wild, wild world of sports. In addition to doing weekend sports reports for the station, he’s had numerous free-lance college and high school play-by-play opportunities in the area and is also announcing games for a newly formed national lacrosse league team at Mohegan Sun.

While they work in different departments and have different shifts, the Keene State foursome at the station occasionally get together to reminisce about their days at the college. “Every so often someone will throw a Keene State comment out there,” said Schnee. “And another person will say, ‘Don’t you wish we could go back there?’”

“I’ve become pretty close with Brian,” said Morneau. “He’s my age, and we have a lot in common coming from Keene State and Conn. We both feel the same way—we’d go back to Keene State if we could—we both had great experiences there.”

Begin pull-quote…Working with one person from Keene State is a coincidence, but working with three is awesome. …end pull-quote
– Nikki Anderson ’13

“We definitely reminisce about Pumpkin Fest and talk about our Keene State days when we’re together,” said Anderson. “We all have busy jobs, but when we get together for company outings or events like the Big E, someone always brings up Keene State.

Anderson said she never expected to be working with three Keene State alums. “It’s so strange,” she said. “Working with one person from Keene State is a coincidence, but working with three is awesome.”

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