Television anchor Robin Reed to join Virginia Tech’s communication department
Robin Reed, an anchor at WDBJ in Roanoke, will join Virginia Tech’s Department of Communication as a professor of practice.
Beginning in the fall 2018 semester, he will teach several courses — including multimedia journalism, broadcast performance, and broadcast management — while remaining WDBJ’s 6 p.m. anchor.
“We are excited to have Robin Reed join the department and the expanding multimedia journalism program,” said Robert Denton, head of the Department of Communication. “His experience and expertise will greatly enhance the education of the next generation of journalists. In addition to serving as a mentor to students, Robin will be a valuable resource in internship and job placement for multimedia journalism majors.”
Reed, who holds a communication degree from James Madison University, is in his 36th year at WDBJ. He began as a weather reporter in 1982, working his way up to chief meteorologist and eventually anchor of the area’s most watched newscast, WDBJ at 6 p.m.
For the past several years Reed has also taught meteorology courses in the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment and communication courses in the Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
“This is the perfect pairing of broadcast experience and college instruction,” said Reed. “I can’t wait to share this exciting profession with the students and still report the news. WDBJ7 and Virginia Tech understand the need to have students ready for the media landscape of the future.”
WDBJ, a CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television, serves the Roanoke/Lynchburg television market in Virginia.
“This new dual role for Robin is a win-win,” said David Hughes, news director of WDBJ. “Students will have the opportunity to learn from one of the most respected journalists in our area while viewers will be able to continue to enjoy getting their news from Robin each night at 6 p.m.”
More than 6,000 Virginia Tech graduates hold degrees from the university’s award-winning Department of Communication, which offers majors in multimedia journalism, public relations, and communication studies. Reed will be the second professor of practice in the multimedia journalism program; legendary sportscaster Bill Roth joined the department in the fall of 2016.
