GREENVILLE, Pa.—Emmy Award-winning Youngstown television journalist Lindsey Watson and veteran Erie broadcaster Mike Ruzzi spoke to students in Thiel College’s Department of Media Communications on Friday, Nov. 7.
Watson, an anchor and reporter for Youngstown CBS affiliate WKBN, and Ruzzi, an anchor and reporter for WSEE (CBS) and WICU (NBC) in Erie, shared their experiences from decades in the news industry. They offered insight into storytelling, newsroom leadership and adapting to the evolving media landscape. The visit gave Thiel College communication students an opportunity to learn firsthand from respected professionals in television journalism.
Watson, a regional Emmy Award winner and recipient of Thiel College’s James Pedas Communications Professional of the Year Award, earned her Emmy for WKBN 27 First News coverage of the East Palestine train derailment in 2023. She has become a respected voice in Northeast Ohio broadcasting and a dedicated mentor to young journalists.
Ruzzi, whose 40-plus-year career includes anchoring, sports reporting and community engagement, previously visited Thiel College during the Pedas Communication Studio upgrades celebration in 2024.
Thiel College Instructional Technology Specialist and AV Coordinator Paul Coatsworth invited the speakers to campus utilizing the connections he has made throughout his lengthy academic and professional career.
Both journalists have spoken to Thiel students in the past, continuing to support the College’s commitment to providing hands-on learning and professional mentorship opportunities in media and communication. Earlier in 2024, Thiel communication students visited Lilly Broadcasting’s WICU/WSEE studios in Erie for an on-site experience, further connecting classroom learning with real-world media industry settings. In October, students also toured WKBN’s newsroom in Youngstown.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.