By Broadcast journalism was my calling for a long time and I had heard wonderful things about Carroll College. Hailing from a Catholic high school in Portland, Ore., I learned that the school had an NBC station on its campus.
The college was also launching a television production program. That said, it was a no brainer to choose Carroll and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I thought I would learn the craft of producing stories, but I wasn’t expecting the new professor leading the program to become a lifelong friend.
Doreen Kutufam taught me skills that I use nearly everyday in my career. She taught me how to write, shoot, and edit stories. We also launched ‘Saints TV’ together. She also taught patience and what my true priorities are.
I loved learning about her family and upbringing in Ghana.
Her kindness, patience, and compassion are traits that I hope I can pass on to people at work and in life. Even when I didn’t have a course-related question, I would swing by her office several times a week just to check-in and chat about life or ideas for her class.
She was supportive in every way as I began my career as a journalist. Her encouragement led me to a network summer internship in New York City. Doreen even made time during her vacation in Manhattan to stop by and visit me at work.
Several years later, we are still close friends and I talk to her frequently about career moves. She’s even let me teach some of her courses when she’s gone on sabbatical. We still see each other about once a year and I always cherish it.
Today, I work as a network senior producer in New York and I wouldn’t be here without Doreen. Carroll College and the Helena-community is a much, much richer place because of her.
We’re sad to see her move on, but another community is about to be enriched with her arrival.
