WOUB virtual speaker series to feature OHIO graduate Brian Unger

OHIO graduate Brian Unger will kick off the WOUB Wednesdays virtual speaker series for fall semester 2023 on Sept. 6. Unger, who graduated from Ohio University in 1987, is a well-known producer, actor, host and comedian.

“WOUB Wednesdays are a great way to provide students the opportunity to talk with industry professionals virtually,” said WOUB Editor-in-Chief Atish Baidya. “It provides them the chance to ask questions about the career they want to get into and network with alumni who are working in the field.”

As an OHIO student, Unger worked on the air and behind the scenes at WOUB in radio, TV and traffic. WOUB TV Producers Keith Newman and David Sabbath took Unger under their wings and gave him opportunities to explore video production.

After graduating from OHIO and working on several national news programs, Unger moved into the entertainment side of the media industry. He served as a correspondent and producer for “The Daily Show” and his career started down a different path, including working as a satirical commentator on NPR’s “Day to Day.”

Unger’s other credits as a producer, commentator, host, actor or comedian include” It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Yellowstone,” “Some Assembly Required” and the History Channel’s “How the States Got Their Shapes.”

Unger recently finished producing a home renovation series for “House Beautiful” magazine and he’s currently directing and producing “House Hunters International” for HGTV. 

“Throughout fall semester, we have several former WOUB students and industry professionals scheduled to talk with current students and alumni,” said WOUB Community Engagement and Membership Manager Cheri Russo. “They are excited to share what they have learned out in the industry with current and other former WOUB students.”

WOUB Mentoring Groups, which consist of students and alumni, also meet virtually during the semester. The three mentoring groups, Women in Media, Black Student and Alumni, and IT and Production Technology, will have former WOUB students as featured speakers to talk about the industry issues that members of the group would like to explore.

Both the WOUB Wednesday and Mentoring Group virtual discussions will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and are open to all current and former WOUB students as well as WOUB staff.

Those interested can register at bit.ly/WOUBWednesdays  

Fall Semester 2023 WOUB Wednesdays Virtual Speaker Schedule

All programs start at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 – Brian Unger '87, Producer/Commentator/Host/Actor/Comedian

Oct. 4 –Ethan Huston ’06, WGAL TV Meteorologist

Oct. 18 – Tom Jennings ’93, PBS FRONTLINE Producer/Writer/Director

Nov. 1 - Elise Hammond ’20, CNN Live Breaking News Writer

Fall Semester 2023 Mentoring Group Schedule

All group meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 – IT and Production Technology – Featured Speaker: Dan Lannon ’10 – ESPN Production Operations Manager

Sept. 27 – Women in Media  - Featured Speaker: Janelle Coleman ’95 - American Electric Power Vice President of Community Engagement, Diversity, Inclusion, and the President of the AEP Foundation

Oct. 25 - Black Student and Alumni – Featured Speaker: Aesia Toliver ’16 – Portsmouth, Virginia TV Anchor/Reporter