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Journalism graduate is
weathercaster for NBC
 |
| Journalism alumnus Sean McLaughlin
spoke with ISU Alumni Association Director Jeff Johnson
(right) during
the weather segment of NBC's "Today Show" Feb.
13. McLaughlin fills in for Al Roker on "The Today
Show" and is MSNBC's weather anchor. Courtesy photo. |
Sean McLaughlin, a 1988 graduate of Iowa
State's journalism program, has left his meteorologist post
at a Phoenix television
station to take a job as weather anchor at MSNBC and as Sunday
anchor for NBC News’ "Weekend Today Show."
McLaughlin had worked at KPNX-TV for a decade
before making the move last year to New York City.
"The job has been fantastic—plenty of opportunities during
the hurricanes—and plenty of work!” McLaughlin
wrote in an email to Greenlee School Director Michael Bugeja.
Sean (pronounced “Scene”) noted
that he still keeps in touch with electronic media studies
emphasis head Tom Beell
and Associate Professor Emeritus Steve Coon and also
appreciated getting good news from Greenlee.
About his recent success, he wrote: “I
owe it all to the School!”
In a news release, Mark Effron, vice president
for News Daytime Programming, said, “Sean is multi-talented,
and that's what we look for at MSNBC. He can communicate important
and
potentially life-impacting weather news, and will
report from the scene of major weather stories.”
Bugeja noted that “Sean embodies the
versatility and reporting standards that still define our electronic
emphasis.”
Beell, McLaughlin’s adviser, recalls, “I
can still see Sean coming to my office to chat about stories
he was working
on for the TV news class and his job search.
I knew even then he was going to do well..."
"I'm not surprised he's going national,” Beell added. “He
has everything it takes to be successful in TV—good
looks, a pleasant voice, a quick mind and a degree
from an excellent
journalism program.”
Coon wrote in an email that he and McLaughlin
are in “semi-regular
contact since his move from Phoenix to MSNBC
and NBC. He has already substituted for Al
Roker on the 'Today Show' as well
as continuing his regular gig on the MSNBC
weekday and NBC weekend shows.”
Coon,
who retired in May, was especially appreciative
that McLaughlin would “accept my annual
invitation to visit our TV reporting class
when he was in town for homecoming.
That was a highlight of the fall semester because
he always had inspiring things to say.”
According
to Coon, “Sean represents the
best of what we look for in broadcast journalists.
He has a passion for
the business, a charming, genuine on-air personality,
and his upbringing reflects the best of Iowa
values. Iowa State is
fortunate to have had him as a student for
four years.”
Associate Director Jane Peterson
echoes that sentiment, remembering how supportive
McLaughlin
has been
of the Greenlee School
and how proud he has been of his degree.
"His
success is not a surprise and is well deserved
in such a fine young man.”
While a student
in Ames, McLaughlin also reported for WOI-TV
(ABC). Before working at Channel
12 in Phoenix,
he reported
for KMIR-TV (NBC) in Palm Springs, Calif.
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