EMU Today

Watch the episode here

YPSILANTI  --  Eastern Michigan University alumni are driving forces in countless industries and organizations across the region, the United States and the world. In this month’s episode of EMU Today TV, two successful alumni who are making an important mark in their respective industries describe their road to success.

Anthony Tomey leads a company that is one of the largest franchisees of Jimmy John’s restaurants in the country. He also is a former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers organization. He describes his path from Eastern Michigan University to the Tigers and to his growing business with Jimmy John's. 

Eric Brown is an established Detroit-area human resources executive. He describes the growth of his career at high-level organizations such as the Ford Motor Company and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. All the while, Brown maintains an active involvement in the EMU Alumni Association.

The program also features a behind the scenes look at EMU’s successful women's basketball and gymnastics programs. 

Now in its third season, EMU Today TV features positive programs, events and initiatives at Eastern, and provides opportunities for viewers to learn more from University deans, faculty, students and administrators about activities at the University.

The student co-host for the program is Alexis Berent, a senior majoring in Electronic Media and Film Studies with a minor in Theatre Arts. Berent, from Canton, Mich., has been acting for 13 years in theatre, film, and commercial work. Mark S. Lee, host of CBS Radio’s Small Talk with Mark S. Lee, is the other co-host. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alumnus, and part time lecturer of marketing at Eastern. He is an entrepreneur, Crain's Detroit blogger and frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics.

Jadan Shorts, a junior majoring in Journalism and a minor in Communications, is a field reporter to provide coverage of events occurring on campus. She is a sports reporter for the University’s student newspaper, the Eastern Echo, and a host of the E-TV production, “The Dish.” Shorts is from Ohio. 

Students in the Communication, Media and Theatre Arts program are actively involved in the production, gaining media and production experience they can include on their resumes and helping lead to careers once they graduate.

In addition to viewing on the University's YouTube channel, the program airs on the following days/times through the month on Xfinity On Demand, beginning Thursday, November 7:

• Thursdays @ 8:30 pm (Premier Day)
• Saturdays @ 8:00 am
• Sundays @ 10:30 am
• Tuesdays @ 9:30 am
• Wednesdays @ 4:00 pm

The program is directed by Keith Damron, associate professor of Electronic Media and Film Studies. During his career, Damon has worked as a production engineer and writer for E Entertainment Television, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Animation. He has worked at Eastern since 2002.

Steve Martin, radio and TV engineer in the School of Communications, Media & Theatre Arts is chief engineer and responsible for set design.

Lewis Hershey, head of the department of marketing and professor of marketing in the University’s College of Business, and Walter Kraft, vice president for communications, are co-producers along with Lee, who originated the program concept.

New episodes of EMU Today will be produced monthly through March 2020 and available on Xfinity On Demand. Xfinity customers can access the program by the following using their remote. Press Xfinity>On Demand>XFINITY Services>Get Local. For non-Xfinity customers, all episodes also will be available on the Eastern Michigan University YouTube channel.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.