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"Huntington
helped me learn how to convey and defend my beliefs."
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Since
childhood, Joy (Patterson) Thompson, a 1999 Huntington graduate, has
wanted to be a part of the radio world—specifically Christian
radio. "I grew up in Durand, Illinois, listening to one of
the best Christian radio stations nationally, WQFL out of
Rockford," Joy says. "By junior high, I knew I wanted to
work there."
So when it came time
for college, Joy looked for a Christian school with plenty of
hands-on opportunities in broadcasting. "Huntington is a Christ-centered
college that gives you the experience to go out in the world to be
a leader," she says.
And right out of
college, she did exactly that. She landed the job of her dreams as
an announcer on WGSL, the sister station of WQFL. She also got the
chance to assume a role she had learned to love at Huntington—filling in
as news editor, writing and announcing the weekly news. Little did
she know that only a year later she would add working closely with
Dr. James Dobson, president and founder of Focus on the Family, to
her résumé, as well.
As a broadcasting
major, Joy took full advantage of the many opportunities to learn
her trade. Starting with her freshman year, she was a disc jockey
on the campus radio station. Her involvement with the television
weekly news broadcast began with a stint as the weather person,
then news anchor, and eventually as assignment editor, as well.
"I loved being involved with not only writing and delivering
the news, but making assignments," says Joy.
She also found that
her classes at Huntington provided endless opportunities to grow. "My
classes allowed me to actually write, produce, and post-edit a
movie," says Joy, who also relished the challenge of writing
and editing radio news and dramas.
Still, it was the
entire Huntington experience that readied Joy for life after college. She
speaks of the exciting opportunities for performance and travel
she enjoyed during her two years as a member of the Huntington music
group, One Voice. "A lot of my spiritual growth occurred with
One Voice," she says. "We held weekly devotion and
prayer and held each other accountable." And, it was also the
singing group that brought her together
with her future husband.
"The broad
education and close relationships I experienced at Huntington were just as
important as the specific skills I gained," Joy says.
"When you go out in the world, your skills in your major
aren’t all that are important. You’ll be involved in the world
as a voter, as a member of the local, national, and worldwide
communities. Huntington helped me learn how to convey and defend my
beliefs."
It was during her
senior year at Huntington that Joy found her way to the Focus on the
Family Institute, whose sole purpose is to develop Christian
leaders. She took four classes and a practicum. "The best
part of it was my practicum in the broadcasting production
department," Joy says. "Because I had done editing at
Huntington, I just had to adapt to a new software system. By the end of
the class, I had edited portions of Dr. Dobson’s daily broadcast
that later aired."
It was her husband’s
entry into the seminary that propelled Joy’s move to Castle
Rock, Colorado, and her position with Focus on the Family. In her
role as executive assistant to Dobson, she and two other
assistants are responsible for summarizing the information that
flows from the leaders of the Focus on the Family ministry to
Dobson. She also attends all meetings in which Dobson is involved.
"Each day my eyes are opened to new issues of
importance," says Joy. "I feel privileged to work with
Dr. Dobson this closely."
Until her husband
graduates from seminary, Joy is staying at Focus on the Family,
learning all she can about a ministry that’s addressing
important family issues with Christian truth. She’s sure that
her time there will at some point lead her back, more prepared, to
her dream of being a radio news director or morning show co-host.
"My mother always
said that every job has been a building block to what she’s
doing now," Joy says. "I’m excited about discovering
what’s next."
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