Sophomore journalism major David Boulton spent his freshman year searching for his niche in Ball State University's student media only to come up empty-handed.
However, in 10 days, Boulton's wish for his ideal media outlet created from his own inspiration may be come true.
Boulton's idea will be taken to the journalism board of directors by Department of Journalism Chairwoman Marilyn Weaver on Feb. 23 to decide whether to fund Ball State's first student-created magazine: Radio Sweetheart.
Radio Sweetheart, the name inspired by Elvis Costello's hit song, would be an entertainment magazine dedicated to the local music scene, Boulton said. Boulton, who considers himself to be a "man of most genres," created Radio Sweetheart's tagline, "music without genre."
He came up with the idea of Radio Sweetheart his freshman year at Ball State when he began searching for an outlet that would fit his career desires.
"I was trying out different medias such as the expo and The Daily News and realized they weren't what I was looking for," Boulton said. "I know students who want to be entertainment writers, but there is no outlet here that caters to them."
That's when the idea of Radio Sweetheart was born. He said he first pitched the idea his freshman year to his classmates and found a good response among them, but when Boulton took the idea to Weaver, he realized it wasn't ready. Since then he has taken the time to prepare the idea before reproposing it to the department.
"I started collaborating with other creative forces to find out what would make a strong magazine, such as what the audience would be looking for, what ads we would use and a rough layout of it," Boulton said.
Boulton has received help from Kylie Carlson, a sophomore advertising major; Drew Hainz, a junior telecommunications production major; and Jen Minutillo, a sophomore journalism graphics major. Hainz, managing editor for Ball Bearings Online, is very supportive of the idea.
"I'm excited about it because people have such a passion for music," Hainz said. Hainz is helping build the online version of Radio Sweetheart and has come up with a few ideas on what he would like to see, such as having students submit playlists, posting polls and including a schedule of all the local venues and events going on for the public to use.
Hainz said he would like the Web site to serve Ball State students and Muncie residents as a way to discover new music, check out local bands and be aware of shows going on in the community.
Journalism professor David Kitchell is unsure of the new magazine idea but is supportive of the experience students will be able to receive from it. He said the more experience the better, but students need to keep in mind that they need to stretch their horizons.
While many seem supportive of the new magazine, it still needs to be approved of by the journalism board of directors. Weaver will present the idea to the board on Feb. 23. If approved, Ball State will fund the new publication. If rejected, Boulton said the publication will continue independently.
If Radio Sweetheart is approved, Boulton said he would like to see the magazine out in October 2009.
"I want this magazine to be a publication that would give experience to the unexperienced in entertainment writing," Boulton said. "Publications don't usually take a chance on someone unless they have experience."
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