ABC-7 Viewpoint: Media Master Moves On

In 1988, I was at a career crossroads. Going nowhere as a TV sportscaster, I reached out to a woman I didn?t even know for advice. Barthy Byrd had earned her PhD at UNM and was teaching at UTEP after a distinguished broadcast career that began at KDBC and carried her to big market reporting jobs in Denver, New Orleans, Seattle and Phoenix.

I expressed interest in getting an advanced degree and leaving the broadcasting field. I was concerned about my age. I?ll never forget her telling me that no matter what I did, I was one day going to be 40.

I enrolled at UTEP and actually took a stimulating writing class under Dr. Byrd in route to a master?s degree. I focused on my career too, and it culminated in me becoming the GM at KVIA-TV in 1999 with Barthy serving as a personal reference.

I?m one of hundreds of students who have felt the lasting positive impact of Barthy Byrd. At KVIA, there is news director Brenda de Anda-Swann and managing editor Eric Huseby. Other KVIA Byrd disciples include Veronique Masterson, Maria Garcia, Darren Hunt, Karla Huelga and Tom Scott.

Sadly, Dr. Byrd is retiring this summer. Anyone who knows Barthy will never forget her. Fearless. Opinionated. Caring. Dogged. Smart. Ethical. She was a guiding force in the fight to save the UTEP Communication Department which now thrives alongside the Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies. Her students are not allowed to miss class and must turn in their papers. She?s stood toe-to-toe with many of UTEP?s strongest and best athletes and forced them to do their work. She doesn?t hesitate to call the Miner Athlete Academic Center ? whatever it takes to turn these athletes into students.

Barthy tells me that she loved her media career but is more rewarded that, as a teacher, she can make a personal difference, ?I have changed some kids? lives.?

Not long ago she encouraged a burly lineman to work hard in class offering him chance after chance to to re-write until he got it right. At graduation, he embraced her and said, ?I?d be nothing without you.?

Barthy Byrd doesn?t buy that. She also won?t take credit for helping get her students ready for ESPN, Univision and TV and media properties all over the country. Getting a communication degree at UTEP will never be the same without a certain tall, fiery, and dedicated associate professor there to crack the whip while patting a student on the back.