WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 2, 2018 — Recently, resident crayfish expert and biology professor Dr. Zachary Loughman was profiled by West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) in a written interview found on the web and in a video file that compliments the interview.
Loughman is internationally-known for his crayfish research and was named West Virginia Professor of the Year just a few years ago in Charleston. His lab attracts students interested in careers in biology, ecology and zoology.
As usual in the WVPB interview, Loughman displays his unbridled enthusiasm for these crustacean creatures that populate so many creeks and waterways in the Appalachian region.
However, these most recent Loughman interviews are doubly interesting to WLU Hilltoppers since the reporter is one of our current students in the College of Arts and Communication Corey Knollinger, 21. A rising senior, this broadcasting and digital media design major is a busy young man and is working a summer job with WVPB and a full-time job at a local grocery store.
He also just wrapped production on his senior project that is a 25-page short film that he wrote called, “Playshoes.” He still has to edit it and finish the post production work but he’s loving every minute of his work.
Knollinger started in the field of broadcasting in high school at John Marshall High School and decided then and there it was his career of choice. He’s good with technology and built his own computer.
He also has invested much of the money he’s earned from part-time jobs into electronic equipment so that he can earn more money doing freelance work and he also does other gigs around town for Weelunk.
His June 11 WVPB article on Loughman is entitled, “This Guy Loves Crawdads, Snakes and Teaching,” which just about sums up Dr. Loughman to a T. So please click the above link and read the entire article.
To hear his June 28 posted video interview, now on YouTube, which includes cameos by President Stephen Greiner and Dr. Robert Kreisberg, please click here.
Knollinger will be working part-time for public broadcasting all summer long and claims that it’s his dream job.
“I’ve listened to WBPB since I was a kid,” he said. “I love what I’m doing.”
WLU’s broadcasting program has a long list of successful graduates including local TV anchors Tate Blanchard and Rachael Dierkes.
The Department of Communication provides the general studies communications courses required in all degree programs. In addition, the department offers a major in seven distinct areas: Advertising Communication, Broadcasting, Communication Studies, Journalism, and Public Relations and a minor in Advertising Communication and Public Relations.
The College of Sciences at WLU offers a variety of programs in the Health Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Zoo Science and master’s programs in Physician Assistant Studies, plus a MA/MS in Biology.
For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.