The devastating shootings in August at Virginia television station WDBJ resulted in the overwhelming support of the entire national news community, including sister station KWCH in Wichita.

Hali Rowland, assignment desk editor at KWCH and Wichita State graduate, was an immediate responder in the wake of the tragedy.

“We found out about the shooting and my boss sent me home to pack,” Rowland says. “My plane left an hour after that.”

Rowland, who has worked at KWCH for nearly two years in a variety of positions, has accumulated a range of skills that apply to all areas of the newsroom. She was able to bring her many skills to an unfamiliar station and operate easily with a team composed almost entirely of broadcast journalists from across the country.

“There was an odd assortment of us that got together,” Rowland says. “After meeting everyone there I felt like I had known them for a lifetime.”

The journalists remained at the station for a week after the shootings occurred, giving the station members a chance to mourn. Rowland operated the assignment desk and web content for WDBJ, carrying out the same tasks she does at KWCH.

Rowland says that despite the station member’s grief, they welcomed everyone with open arms and made them feel like part of their family.

“They were so thankful we were there,” Rowland says.

Her range of talents are the result of her education from the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State. Rowland says everything she learned there directly applies to her current job.

“WSU tries to make it like real-life experience,” Rowland says. “They actually try to give you that education that you can use in your career.

One of the most beneficial classes at Wichita State, Rowland says, was the Flint Hills Media Project, which takes place during the summer months. The class focuses on a spectrum of media techniques including film, photography, interviews and journalism.

“It taught me the value of not doing the traditional ‘this happened’ story,” Rowland says. “It helped me learn that you have to find the hidden gems.”

Rowland, who has always wanted to be a broadcaster, loves her job at KWCH. Her childhood dream was to work there, and she plans to remain at the station for the time being.

“It’s the people,” Rowland says. “I wish I could go out and meet them, but even just hearing them on the phone and hearing their stories, there’s no better way to live.”