By Bryce Spadafora
Contributing Writer
Each year, a female student in the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication is awarded the Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award for her achievements. This year’s recipient is senior Anna Ciesla.
According to the school’s webpage, the student who is chosen demonstrates success academically, as well as with extracurricular activities. The student has established a strong connection with her classmates and has shown hope for future success in her field.
Ciesla will receive the Woman of Promise award at a ceremony on March 31st.
Ciesla attributed her success to fully immersing herself in what she loves. She suggested that journalism and mass communication students find what they love to do and put themselves fully into their work.
Ciesla said her passion is broadcasting. She said she is involved with SBU-TV Sports.
Paul Wieland, journalism lecturer, explained Ciesla’s commitment to the SBU-TV program.
“Anna has been working with SBU-TV Sports for her entire college career, as talents [sideline reports and anchoring the sports show ‘The Wolfpack Report’] and as a graphics producer in the truck, sometimes even as a camera operator during our basketball telecasts,” Wieland said.
Wieland met Ciesla when she was in junior high. Ciesla and Wieland first interacted when she reported on the Buffalo Sabres where Wieland worked for 25 years.
Wieland said he believes this interaction helped Ciesla’s interest in journalism grow.
Ciesla agreed.
“Paul [Wieland] is a huge reason why I came here,” Ciesla said. “When I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, I wanted to be Paul Wieland. Once I got involved with the sports production truck, he broadened my horizons.”
Richard Lee, a professor of journalism, also influenced Ciesla. According to Ciesla, Lee helped her focus her talents and find her strengths.
“I’m a huge sports fan, and he really helped me to refine that and brought out a lot of my better writing qualities,” Ciesla said.
Ciesla took two of Lee’s classes, Reporter’s Narrative: Style and Reporters Narrative: Craft. She has also worked on projects with Lee outside of the classroom.
“Anna [Ciesla] was an excellent student in my classes,” Lee said. “She often volunteered when I needed help with a class project, and she welcomed challenges. For example, in one of our classes, we did a series of podcasts, which I normally hosted. She volunteered to host one of the podcasts and did an excellent job. Outside of the classroom, I have been impressed with the work I’ve seen her do with SBU-TV.”
In regards to Ciesla’s life after college, both Wieland and Lee have suggestions.
“I think it’s fair to say I often give advice to all my students and advisees,” Wieland said. “In [Ciesla’s] case, I would say she should keep going the way she has been going: being curious and conscious of the world around her. That will lead her to the job or the profession best for her happiness.”
According to Lee, “Anna is off to a great start. If she continues to work the way she has in college, she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
After graduation, Ciesla plans to attend the University at Buffalo to pursue a law degree. She said she thinks a law degree and a journalism degree will complement each other.
“Believe it or not, a law degree is completely relevant with a journalism degree because a lot of law is reading and writing,” Ciesla said. “My background in journalism is actually going to be beneficial to a possible future career in law.”
