MCJ Hall of Fame inductee speaks to students

Sally-Ann Roberts, a University of Southern Mississippi graduate and recent inductee into USM’s School of Mass Communication and Journalism’s Hall of Fame, spoke with a select group of students about her successes Wednesday as part of the annual Mass Communication and Journalism Symposium.

Roberts, who is the sister of “Good Morning America” reporter and Mississippi native Robin Roberts, graduated from USM with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and began the journey of becoming the successful broadcast journalist she is today.

Roberts is co-anchor of the highest-rated news station in Louisiana, WWL-TV, and is widely recognized for her work in the New Orleans community. She discussed with students everything from career advice to advice on getting jobs and progressing in the industry to how to find faith in the Lord in everything.

“I was always told to get my foot in the door no matter what it took,” Roberts said. “Students should focus on landing that internship or working towards getting that small job, even if it’s not exactly in the line of work the student wants to do in the long run. Once you get your foot in the door, you can work your way up to anywhere.”

Students responded enthusiastically and asked questions throughout the two-hour Master Class. Roberts would often repeat her key phrase, “Pray, prepare, proceed,” along with words of encouragement.

Chris Campbell, director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism, spoke highly of the women speaking at the symposium. Former USM President Martha Saunders, Vice-President of zap2it.com Rebecca Brown Baldwin and founding president and CEO of Hub City TV Margaret Loesch will be inducted to the MCJ Hall of Fame along with Roberts.

“We are honored to claim each of these women as our own,” Campbell said. “They are absolutely incredible.”

“I never dreamt of this day—the day I would be inducted into the MCJ Hall of Fame – whenever I was a student on this campus,” Roberts said. “I never even imagined that my photo would be hanging on the wall along with the others in the Hall of Fame. I would never be where I am today had I not come to Southern Miss those years ago.”

When asked about her success, Roberts gave glory to God and credited Southern Miss.

“You have the privilege of being a student at the University of Southern Mississippi,” Roberts said. “The graduates before you are doing so well because of the foundation received at Southern Miss. You cannot go wrong with an education from USM.”

The symposium will continue today in the Thad Cochran Center. For more information, call 601-266-4258 or visit www.usm.edu/mcj.