The Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit, now in its 20th year of bringing together SUNY Oswego alumni and other industry leaders in the fall, will explore “Technology Evolution and the Future of Television Production and Distribution” on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

As part of a day full of lessons and networking, an all-star alumni panel will discuss the topic from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Tyler Hall’s Waterman Theatre.

Cameron E. Jones, a 2009 graduate who is a three-time Emmy Award winner and producer for ABC News Live, will moderate the panel. Panelists probing the evolving technology involved in communication will include 2019 graduate Amada P. Caba,  a writer and producer in A&E Network’s Global Creative Content operations; 2019 graduate Jake A. Piacenti, a technical director for CBS Sports HQ; and 1976 graduate Richard P. Wolf, who is a former vice president of telecommunications and affiliate support for ABC and a former executive vice president for “The Switch.”

Professionals will also speak to classes and other groups to offer advice, while a Career Connectors networking event will allow current students to speak with young alumni to learn more about getting into the industry. The latter event will take place from 4:45 to 6 p.m. in Tyler Art Gallery. 

Career Connectors expected to take part include:

  • Michael Allchin ’20, graphic designer, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and freelance content creator
  • Stephanie Gregoria ’20, social media manager, Hawkins International
  • Shamus Lobene ’19, freelance video production assistant and lighting designer 
  • John Mongiello ’14, digital media video editor, HBO Max, and former associate producer, WWE
  • Daniela Rosario ’17, associate creative director, VML
  • Timothy Cato III ’21, host, producer and director, “I Got More to Say” audio-visual podcast; co-host, “Straight from the Underground FM” hip-hop radio show

To prepare for these opportunities, the Office of Career Services will offer a pair of Media Summit Networking Workshops open to all students from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, both in the Compass Resource Room, in 145 Marano Campus Center.

Student input and leadership

A team of students coordinate the annual summit, including event director Alex Moss and assistant event director Jesse Kushner. The summit’s faculty advisor, communication studies faculty member Francisco Suarez, said the students are “working so hard” to put it together, adding they were the ones who suggested the theme.

“I think it is important because we’re living in a time where technology is changing in the blink of an eye,” Suarez said. “The way we consume media has changed so much in the past 10 years.” 

The topic is very timely because “television is an ever-changing monster that repeatedly calls for innovative ideas and modern concepts,’ Kushner said. “I believe this year’s panelists give a great insight on what’s to come of the future in television. Their words speak volumes to the new generations trying make it in the industry.” 

The dominance of television –- with just three main networks as recently as the 1980s –- has given way to many different outlets for visual entertainment and an environment where anybody anywhere can host their own video channel or podcast series. 

“Most students said they consume their media via smartphone and tablet,” Suarez noted. “So graduates coming out of our school need to know how media will be consumed now and in the future.” 

“I think the Media Summit is important because it helps to connect both Oswego faculty and students with professionals in a field they want to pursue for their own careers,” Moss said.

“It gives students the opportunities to find out more career choices than they might have known about and lets our alumni come back and make a lasting impression," Moss added. "In addition, the summit is a great way for students to get involved on campus, get valuable experience and have fun!”

The students also drive the conversation in terms of what speakers will discuss, with an eye toward what will most help student attendees.

“How will these developments impact the job market?” Suarez said. “A goal with this panel is to not only talk about the changes, but also to encourage the students not to worry. Technology is always changing, you just need to figure out how to use it.”

Moss noted that working with faculty and students to build the event has been an amazing learning opportunity. 

“Outside of school, I currently work with Wegmans food markets, and am a part of their management intern program,” Moss noted. “A lot of the skills I learned there (leadership, patience, delegation, timeliness, etc.) carried over, but I also learned new valuable skills, like working with a production team, and learning to trust the process. I also got to work with a lot more faculty than I have before, which provided a unique opportunity for me to meet more people in some of the fields I aspire to work in.”

Kushner has worked on receiving alumni videos to congratulate this year’s panelists on being at the summit’s 20th anniversary. “I have been given the opportunity to work with select students and faculty to promote the Media Summit and handpick notable individuals to best represent the theme of this year’s Media Summit,” Kushner said. 

“I have learned a multitude of skills that I've improved upon … such as communicating, team management, organizational skills, and managing my time,” Kushner said. “I love it all!”

Those who are unable to attend can still see the panel on live-streaming via a live webstream on the SUNY Oswego YouTube channel. WTOP will precede it with the popular red carpet preshow starting at 2:30 p.m.

SUNY Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts hosts the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit each fall. The summit was founded in 2005 by media pioneer and 1977 Oswego alumnus Lou Borrelli. In 2007, 1976 Oswego graduate Al Roker of NBC’s “Today” show became a co-sponsor of the event, which was renamed in memory of their beloved professor, the late Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell.