Junior radio/television major Wayne Crowl appeared confident and relaxed as he waited for his interview with the JMC Media Board late last semester.

Because he had applied for the position of TV2 general manager in spring 2003, he knew what to expect in the interview.

And with five semesters of experience with TV2, working in all capacities, Crowl knew with whom he would want to work if he was chosen as the new general manager.

"I've been there so long, I know where the talent lies," he said before the interview, as he sat in a cushioned chair outside the conference room where his interview would take place.

His competition, junior Electronic Media Productions major Michelle Wann, sat nearby, having just finished her interview with the Board.

"I was slightly nervous," she said of her feelings during the interview. "I didn't know exactly what they (the board members) were looking for. I'm hoping my answers were it."

She said that if the board chose her as the station's new general manager, she would find ways to help TV2 branch out further into the community by working with Time Warner for advertising.

She also said she would like to begin updating the station's equipment.

"The current news director and I get along well," Wann said. "We have talked about a lot of ideas."

Soon, Crowl was called in to discuss his ideas with the Media Board.

"I strive to be better than average, and I want to make TV2 better than average," he told the Board during his opening statement.

To do so, Crowl said he would find ways to promote the station through ads in the Daily Kent Stater, as well as through a collaborative sports show with Kent State's Athletic Department that would promote both the station and the sports program.

He also said he would like to keep the newsroom more organized.

"TV2's newsroom is in a state of disarray," he said. "I'm sure if TV2 had parents, they would tell it to clean up its room."

He closed his interview by telling the Board that he had chosen to attend Kent State because of TV2.

"I want to see TV2 succeed," he said. "I have a personal, vested interest in seeing that happen."

While the board members were making their decision, Crowl and Wann awaited the verdict in silence just outside the conference room.

They didn't have to wait for long. Less than five minutes after Crowl finished his interview, Board Chairwoman Evonne Whitmore came out of the room and congratulated Wann on her new role as TV2 general manager.

"I'm excited," Wann said after the announcement. "But I'm a little nervous."

TV2 adviser Gary Hanson said he was impressed with both applicants.

"The Board had two really good candidates to choose from," he said. "Wayne will still be intimately involved with the station."

Hanson said Wann's dependability will serve the station well during the semester.

"When Michelle says she's going to do something, she does it," he said.

Click here to find out how the JMC Media Board chose the candidates

Click here to find out whether the Stater will become a "teaching" newspaper next semester, or one of greater political diversity

Click here to find out why it was so difficult for the media board to decide on the Burr's new editor

Story by Angelique McKowan