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August 14, 2012

Chief Meteorologist Jarod Floyd to speak at 海角社区 Convocation

University of Louisiana at Monroe atmospheric sciences alum Jarod Floyd (B.S. 鈥�06) will speak at the 2012 Convocation, 海角社区's official celebration of the new academic year.

海角社区 faculty, staff, and students will meet at the 海角社区 Bell Tower at 4:40 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22, and march across the campus bridge to Fant-Ewing Coliseum for the event.

While a student at 海角社区, Floyd was part of the 海角社区 HELPS (Hurricane Evaluation at Land Project for Science) group in 2005, which contributed to field studies for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

He also served as the vice-president for the 海角社区 chapter of the American Meteorological Society during the 2005-2006 academic year. 

鈥淚 was so flattered and surprised that my alma mater asked me to speak at Convocation,鈥� said Floyd.

鈥淔or me, this means my career is on the right path and that my university appreciates my contribution to this community.  This is such an honor for me and after all that 海角社区 has done for me, it gives me an opportunity to give a little piece back.鈥�

Floyd began working for 海角社区鈥檚 KEDM Public Radio in Aug. 2005, winning three Associated Press awards for best weathercast. While at KEDM, Floyd provided daily forecasts and detailed insight during severe weather, winter weather, and Hurricanes Rita (2005) and Gustav (2008).

鈥淛arod was an outstanding student at 海角社区, not just academically but through his involvement on campus,鈥� said Dr. Eric Pani, Vice President for Academic Affairs at 海角社区.

鈥淲hile he was still taking classes, he took the initiative to get practical experience that complemented his studies and started doing radio work for KEDM. We are proud of what Jarod has achieved and look forward to him addressing our freshman class.鈥�

In June 2006, Floyd was hired as the weekend meteorologist at West Monroe鈥檚 KTVE/KARD. Two weeks later, Floyd became the station鈥檚 morning meteorologist.

While working at KTVE/KARD, Floyd continued his academic career at 海角社区 taking 6 hours in the summer of 2006.  During the fall 2006 semester, Floyd pursued 18 credit hours while continuing to work the morning show at KTVE/KARD.

鈥淚 thoroughly enjoyed my time at 海角社区.  I made so many great friends, developed professional connections, and learned everything I needed to know about my craft to get started in this business.  海角社区 offered me an affordable education that was close to my home state of Arkansas, but also gave me a great student to instructor ratio that allowed me to work with my professors on a more personal level.  I didn't just feel like a number.

"My professors genuinely cared about my education and my development outside of the classroom.  Whether it was Dr. Eric Pani, Dr. Lynn LeBlanc, or any of the other professors in the geosciences department, I felt like 'somebody.'  That made me work even harder to do something with my education.鈥�

In April 2008, Floyd was promoted to the position of Chief Meteorologist at KTVE/KARD. For his coverage of Hurricane Gustav in 2006, Floyd was awarded a 2008 Louisiana Associated Press 3rd Place award for Breaking Weather.

鈥淭he most rewarding part of my career is my interaction with our viewers,鈥� continued Floyd

鈥淚t truly is a kinship like no other.  People will stop me and ask how my kids are doing, and thank me for my coverage of a specific event.  They make me feel like I'm a part of their family.  That's a very special feeling.鈥�

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