News from The Mahurin Honors College

A primary goal of the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) is to provide scholars with the skills and resources necessary to pursue their ‘big dream’. For first-year MHC scholar, Cole McIntire (MHC ’26), his first steps have already proven to work wonders.  

From Cincinnati, OH, Cole is double-majoring in Broadcasting and Journalism with a minor in Spanish. In his first year on the Hill, Cole has become a vital part of NewsChannel 12 and the Extra Point, two student-run programs that air locally each week on WKYU PBS. 

“I was actually the anchor for the first show of my first semester on campus my freshman year,” says McIntire. “It was quite an exciting experience getting to dive in right away and harvest my curiosity so early on.” 

Cole anchored for NewsChannel 12, yet again, during the spring semester’s first show on February 3rd. On days where Cole’s not in front of the camera, he is assigned other roles on set or in the booth to learn all aspects of production.  

Cole first became interested in pursuing a media-related career when he was 16 at a local youth basketball game.  

“The league my little brother played for needed someone on the court to do Public Address announcing, like you would hear at high school games. I filled in one day, they liked me, and I loved it. We took it a step further and started interviewing kids after the games, making it fun for social media. That’s kind of when I knew I wanted to go into broadcasting; to get that feeling of being engaged.” 

Using this experience as a platform, Cole managed to get in touch with the radio voice of the Cincinnati Bengals, Dan Hoard. Hoard advised Cole to get involved as quickly as possible wherever he decided to go to school.  

“So many people make the mistake of thinking they can relax their first couple years,” Hoard told Cole. “You can’t hold back if you want to get ahead.” 

Cole recognizes MHC Assistant Director for Enrollment & Brand Management Zack Ryle for influencing his decision to come to WKU and become an MHC scholar.   

“Last year, I came to campus for a Cherry Presidential Scholarship interview day. During that visit, Zack went above and beyond to make WKU feel like the place for me. He dropped everything to walk my dad and I around for an hour. He gave us a personal tour of the studio, giving us a rundown of everything broadcasting had to offer at WKU.” 

Cole is also thankful for all the faculty within the broadcasting department and the producers on NewsChannel12 and the Extra Point. He tributes each show’s success to the knowledge and experience of the individuals that allow them to happen every week.  

“One of the biggest things our producers share with us is that this experience we’re getting is the ‘real-life stuff’. Brad Pfranger, one of our lead professors in broadcasting, worked for a big station in Nashville. He shares with us how to become more appealing as a reporter in hopes of one day being on air.” 

When asked what his favorite thing about being involved on each show is, Cole didn’t hesitate for a second.  

“It’s the community, without a doubt. Being involved in each show, you meet so many people and mentors built into the program. I look up to our incredibly talented sophomores and they’re only a grade ahead of me.” 

Cole will have an internship this summer with Fox 19 in Cincinnati as an intern reporter. On top of that, he is also working on a story covering the life of WKU Volleyball Head Coach, Travis Hudson. Cole hopes to use the experience he’s gaining during his time on the Hill to pursue his ‘big dream’ of one day working for ESPN on feature-length stories.  

Cole encourages any MHC scholar eager to get involved in their department to speak to their faculty as soon as possible. “Getting involved immediately is just taking that first step and asking yourself ‘Who can I go to?’. Once you find that person and know how they can help you, find someone else to talk to. When people know you’re a student, they’re going to want to help you out.” 

The MHC is so proud of all the hard work you’re putting in during your first year, Cole! We’re excited to see what’s in store for your future and how you will continue to succeed on the Hill!