Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Meteorological Society brings forecast to Texas A&M
By Jessica Henning
The Battalion (Texas A&M)
06/11/2007

(U-WIRE) COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Most students around the country get their weather from the local news channel, but Texas A&M students have the rare opportunity to get the broadcast directly from their peers.

The Texas A&M Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society has serviced the A&M campus by forecasting the weather weekdays on 90.9, KAMU-FM and by traveling the country chasing storms.

Shawn Marino was the organization's coordinator for the last year. "A lot of people have put countless hours moving this organization forward this past year," he said.

The society started in spring 2006 by James Tobin, but the association with KAMU radio began in the fall of 2004.

Students who broadcast on KAMU record weather broadcast twice a day. The recordings provide an opportunity for students interested in radio or television careers to broadcast on-air.

"We are currently in the beginning stages of some pretty big changes that may include live broadcasting during severe weather events," said Blake Mathews, a member of the society.

Within the society, a smaller group called Texas Aggie Storm Chasing enables students to learn first-hand how severe weather unfolds.

Students Emily Borchard and Matt Mahrer will lead the organization this fall with advisers Tobin, a graduate student, and Mark Edwards, traffic director of KAMU.

The Meteorological Society welcomes anyone interested in lead forecasting and on-air announcing, as well as those interested in driving for the storm chasers.

The organization recruits members mostly by word of mouth and by setting up a booth at the MSC Open House twice a year. The chapter is open to all majors.

Typically most members who comprise the organization are undergraduates from the College of Geosciences, but officers say it is also for students who have a real passion for the weather.

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