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View from the Valley
With his position, Eli wants to be easily approachable and always available for help. When asked about his involvement with the Radio/T.V. students, Eli answered, “This is something I’ve actually thought about pretty often. It’s really just about being exactly who you are despite being in a role where you’re “above” someone else. I was in the position that these students were in less than a year ago. I know what it’s like to not understand how to do something, which is entirely okay! I’m also still young, so there’s not really an age gap between myself and the students. Connecting with students by being who you are and not pretending to be the smartest in the room will gain you more respect in the long run. I want students to be able to learn from me, and I cannot wait to see what each of them does with the information they gain. Seeing their success in the not-so-far future is something I will take great pride in, knowing I somehow helped along the way.” Through his career path, Eli has found a deep appreciation for WVC’s Radio/T.V. program. Thanks to the program, Eli was able to explore his love for music/radio and broaden his skills in broadcasting. “The Radio TV program has given me a career path that I truly enjoy getting to do every day,” Eli expressed. “Not only have I set myself on a career path, but I’ve met incredible people along the way, several of which I now consider to be close friends. The program is unique in that you get exactly what you give. You’ll learn nothing if you put in nothing, but if you put an idea into motion and get the help of those around you to manifest that thought you had into something physical, you will reap the rewards. I’m lucky to have chosen the latter and to be surrounded by those who helped make ideas into creations. For those interested even in the slightest in communication, sports, music, reporting, journalism, etc., I highly encourage you to apply because it is way more than just a program.” Outside of Radio/T.V., Eli enjoys nature and being outside. He also likes to write about music and goes to concerts when he can. Most recently, Eli went to a Dayglow concert and wrote about his experience on www.bashradio.com. Eli’s favorite bands/artists consist of Cage the Elephant, Wallows, Dayglow, Joe P, and The Black Keys. Alternative and indie are his two favorite music genres. Eli is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, as well as a casual fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bulls.
Eli Grimes is the Broadcast Services Specialist at Wabash Valley College (WVC). In his position, he directs/records/edits newscasts; uploads newscasts to the News Channel 15 T.V. station and social media platforms; maintain logs/music for the college radio station, 89.1 The Bash, air-checks students, and other Radio/T.V. responsibilities. All in all, Eli is heavily involved with the WVC Radio/T.V. Program. Eli is from Albion, IL. After graduating from Edwards County High School, he attended WVC and graduated with a degree in Applied Sciences in the Radio/T.V. Digital Media program. When the Broadcast Services Specialist position opened up, Eli saw this as the perfect opportunity to continue using his skills with WVC’s Radio/T.V. program. “After graduating from WVC, and with heavy involvement with 89.1 The Bash WVJC, I started a job at 104.9 WFIW in Fairfield, IL, to further gain some experience in [the radio] field,” Eli stated. “After a little over three months in my position at WFIW, the position I now hold was accepting applications. I felt with the experience I had and the connection and familiarity with the stations during my time at WVC, I could bring a lot to the table, so to speak.” Eli loves the radio field. From the unpredictability of what song will play next to the way radio connects with its listeners, Eli has always enjoyed what radio brings to people. Now, he gets to make that special connection between radio and people a special part of his career. “On the radio side of things, I take care of music decisions regarding 89.1 The Bash, which means keeping the latest hit alternative music in our rotation while balancing a mixture of the old and new to bring a bit of everything to our listening audience,” Eli detailed. “The students within the program are also a big help when it comes to content being out over the air through air shifts and creative liners that we all collectively develop for air-play. It’s really special." EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR: MAGGEE BLEYER
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