I just cant bite my tongue any longer on the MSU "issue." Please post this letter in your forum.
There is nothing wrong with MSU's Broadcast Meteorology program! I think it's great that broadcasters have a place to learn basic atmospheric science and become better Weathercasters as a result of their studies. Is the program "a joke" compared to a four year program at an accredited school of meteorology/atmospheric science. I can say without hesitation - YES! Should they be called Meteorologists - ABSOLUTELY NOT! MSU grads cannot work as forecasters in the NWS (without furthering their education), and if they attend grad. school at my alma mater, Florida State University, they must take a majority of the bachelor's level meteorology courses before they can go on into the masters program ( I'm sure the same applies at other institutions). It's not even debatable. The MSU program is clearly sub-standard, but as Tom Loffman has stated having some education is better than none ( I'm para-phrasing).
However, I am a little disappointed by Mr. Loffman's other comments on this issue - basically saying that it boils down to what a News Director wants. I care about what the VIEWER GETS. I am a scientist first and a broadcaster second. I LOVE the science of meteorology. When viewers are exposed to poor weathercasts/ inaccurate forecasts it reflects poorly on my profession - meteorology - not broadcasting.
Before I get replies to the effect of " yeah, but do you 'connect' with the viewer?" Get real. Presentation skills are God-given. You either have it or you don't (and I'll match my skills with anyone's). Meteorology, on the other hand, must be learned - thoroughly.
Not all MSU grads are deficient in knowledge and skill, but as Don Paul has pointed out, too many are. A few weeks ago, in my very own market, I witnessed an MSU grad, and AMS seal holder, track anomalous propagation on radar! The AMS seal is what REALLY bothers me - not the MSU education - but I'll get to that subject in a minute.
Don Paul, do you really honestly believe that Dr. Binkley would be embarrassed by this?! NO WAY! Binkley is interested in making money for Mississippi State University, and by doing so, securing a nice job for himself. There's nothing wrong with that - this IS America. If he were truly interested in producing quality graduates for t.v. he would develop a full-fledged four year atmospheric sciences program with a strong weathercasting curriculum ( like Lyndon State has)!
I'd love to get a degree in law, but unfortunately there is no "low-road" way to go about that (not that I would take the low-road if it existed). Weather has a tremendous effect on the economy and on peoples lives but one is allowed to "practice" meteorology while labeling oneself a Meteorologist with no certification.
I don't have a problem with MSU grads as long as they realize that they should not use the title "Meteorologist". "Meteorologist" (and the AMS seal for that matter) infers to the viewer that the person they are getting their info from has a high level of education/ technical competence in the field of atmospheric science. Again, as Mr. Paul has pointed out too many MSU grads don't have that.
However, the problem isn't MSU - it's a great program for people to become a little more well-versed in meteorology. The REAL problem is the AMS, for not doing more to define, perhaps legally, who is a meteorologist, and more specifically the AMS Broadcasting Committee for tolerating incompetence. Not just from MSU grads but within the entire broadcast meteorological community. The AMS should be working to uphold excellence in the field of meteorology... and it's not doing so in the realm of television weathercasting - which is probably the most important area to regulate since it deals most directly with the public.
John Honore
Weekend Meteorologist
KTVT-TV
Dallas-Ft. Worth
johnh@ktvt.com