For more than two decades, Mary Nam was a regular guest in Puget Sound living rooms as a news anchor and broadcast journalist.
Shortly after signing off for the final time as a member of the KOMO news team, Nam accepted an opportunity to give back to her alma mater as a member of the Washington State University Board of Regents.
“I’m passionate about WSU and I’m eager to help out in any capacity I can,” Nam said.
She’s particularly interested in bolstering the university’s presence on the west side of the state. The abundance of Cougar Pride is apparent – with innumerable WSU flags and vanity plates found across the Puget Sound – warranting further exploration into what more the university can do in the region.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can capitalize on the representation and reputation we have on the west side to add more depth,” Nam said.
From fly ties to a destination media market
WSU’s journalism program captured Nam’s interest shortly after her family moved to Puyallup when she was in high school. While initially set on a career in print journalism, Nam said it didn’t take her long to appreciate the opportunities the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication offered for broadcast journalism training.
“The hands-on experiences we had as part of our major were outstanding, and not something I expected to have until after college,” Nam said. “It wasn’t just broadcast media classes, we had opportunities to learn about radio and television production as well, and it was so meaningful and eye-opening to have that accessible to us.”
Nam also took part in a work-study program with the local public broadcasting station. Her first job was as a camera operator for a fly-tying show, focusing on the hands of hosts as they explained the different feathers and hooks they were using.
“It was a pretty cool job, if not a little weird,” Nam recalled.
Her first job out of college was with KXLY-TV in Spokane. As with most first professional jobs, the experience swung between overwhelming and exhilarating. She quickly learned that any mistakes she made would be seen by thousands of audience members, but she soldiered on.
In 2003, Nam covered a deadly avalanche in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada as part of a collaboration between KXLY and KOMO. Her work on that story resulted in an offer from KOMO for a morning reporter role, one she eagerly accepted despite her aversion to the early hours of the day.
Looking back, Nam isn’t surprised three years turned to 20 in Seattle, a destination market for broadcast journalists and a place where she got to work with fellow Murrow graduates.
“Because you have these shared experiences of having gone to WSU and lived in Pullman, you have a common language that creates really incredible bonds,” Nam said.
Ahead of the board’s next meeting in September, Nam is coming to grips with board policies and procedures as well as meeting her fellow regents. It’s an interesting time for WSU and public universities across the country, and she is excited to help make sure WSU is taking advantage of emerging opportunities.
“I’m truly pleased to see Mary join WSU’s Board of Regents,” said Bruce Pinkleton, dean of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. “She’s an outstanding communication professional, and her education and experience as a journalist will serve her well in her new role. Mary will join a noteworthy list of other Murriow-affiliated individuals who’ve served in leadership roles at WSU, and I’m proud of this group of exceptional people.”
