As he prepares for December commencement, Luke Vie said he is feeling lucky to be a Husker.
“I think I always knew throughout my life that I wanted to be a Husker,” Vie said. “Five years is a long time, and a lot happens during college. Every day, you look around and you just think about how lucky you are to be here.”
Joining his twin brother, Vie came to Nebraska to study broadcasting in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications after completing a two-year program at Northeast Community College.
Working two jobs throughout school, including for News Channel Nebraska, made for a challenging journey as he balanced his work schedule with his academic commitments. His involvement with the Experience Lab’s Nebraska Nightly channel, in particular, offered him additional opportunities to grow as a journalist on his own time.
“Nebraska Nightly really gave me the flexibility to hunker down and hone my broadcasting skillsets on my own time while accommodating my work schedule,” Vie said of the student-run news channel. “That flexibility is something I’m just so appreciative of over these last few years.”
Working independently on stories for Nebraska Nightly helped Vie build the skills he needs to advance his career goals after he graduates this weekend.
“With Nebraska Nightly, I was able to create my own stories and video packages on my own time that classmates or faculty would look through and run if they thought it worked,” Vie said. “These are things that I can have for my portfolio to showcase my growth as a journalist and broadcaster moving forward.”
Growing in his confidence as a broadcaster was made easier by the welcoming and collaborative learning environment that university and its College of Journalism and Mass Communications create for students.
“I never felt left out of anything. I never felt nervous asking a question. I never felt nervous saying I'm behind, I don't understand something or asking for an accommodation because of something that’s going on in my life," Vie said.
“Five years is so long, but then I sit here and think about it and it feels like I’m just walking into freshman year.”
