Delaware Debate: Through the Lens of Students

When student correspondent Casey Nyman tested her earpiece in Mitchell Hall at the University of Delaware on the second night of the Delaware debate, there was no doubt that she was in the big leagues. After all, in the media boxes there were reporters from Bloomberg News, C-spacing And News magazine.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” admits the UD senior, a media relations major with minors in journalism, advertising and English. “I’m the executive producer 49 newsso I’m pretty comfortable in front of and behind the camera. But this was a completely different level.” 49 news is part STN49a television network run by UD students.

Center for Political Communications and UD UD Delaware Public Media On October 16 and 17, he organized debates between candidates for the US Senate, US House of Representatives and Governor of Delaware. The debate demonstrates the university’s commitment to civic engagement by offering Delawareans the opportunity to learn more about the candidates so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box. They also provide powerful hands-on learning opportunities for Casey and other students, said Nancy Karibjanian, director of UD’s journalism program.

“It was completely a team effort,” Nyman said, acknowledging fellow students Megan Siano and Jeet Heslin, who have been working with her on potential debate questions since late summer. She also thanked the professional debate moderators: Tom Bryan, News Director Delaware Public Mediaand Sarah Petrovich, magazine political reporter Delaware Public Mediawho co-moderated October 17, and Ralph Begleiter, founding director of the Center for Political Communication and former CNN journalist, October 16.

Mentoring matters

Karibdjanian spent her career in broadcast journalism before joining the UD faculty. She noted that Casey has demonstrated that she has what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive field.

“It’s a wonderful moment when you watch a student move from the classroom to the professional environment,” Karibzhanian said. “For Casey Nyman, that moment was the Delaware debate. She occupied a worthy place among her fellow moderators and candidates. This opportunity gives Casey an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.”

Lydia Timmins, assistant professor of communications at UB, taught Nyman in several classes. “This fall, Casey will be taking COMM427, a hands-on manufacturing class. I chose her to direct the first episode because I knew her skill and calm demeanor would set an example for other students teaching this type of class for the first time,” Timmins said.

Timmins spent 14 years in Philadelphia. NBK10 and was line producer for the October 17 debate. In this role she imitated Nyman.

“When I said into her earpiece, ‘Great job, sweetie,’ she later told me she felt like she’d been hugged by her mom,” Timmins recalled. “I don’t usually call a presenter’s talent ‘cute,’ but I felt extremely proud of her.”

Future plans

Nyman’s dream job is to become a television reporter, but she works hard to learn about all aspects of communications. She has a paid position as a designer/editor on the Student Life Division’s web development team. She also works as a promotions assistant at Townsquare Media on its radio stations in and around Atlantic City.

“I’m going home this weekend to do some shows with them,” the Mount Laurel, New Jersey, resident said in a recent interview. “We do community engagement events that give me insight into the public relations side of things.”

Another new experience for Nyman is sports studies as part of an internship this semester with Associate Professor Mike Corey, a sports commentator. ESPN And NBK.

“I can’t say that I’m the most knowledgeable; I’m not a big sports fan,” Nyman admitted with a laugh. “But from a broadcasting perspective, learning from Professor Corey was really great.”

“Casey helped me a lot with research for my ESPN football and basketball games,” said Corey, who teaches sports broadcasting classes. “She has also edited sports videos and footage, contributed to a sports documentary, and is helping redesign my website.”

“I really appreciate the opportunities I had at UD and the professors who were so supportive,” Nyman said. “The debate was like icing on the cake.”