From Mickey Mouse ears to the world-renowned Hilton company, Craig Dezern has lived a million lives since leaving the Hill in 1986.
While earning his degree in journalism and English from 1982 to 1986, Dezern worked as a reporter on the College Heights Herald staff, eventually becoming Editor-in-Chief during his junior year at WKU.
Dezern believes the Herald is an amazing learning lab that has established a recognition for excellence.
“The most important thing I learned from the Herald is how to find the story,” Dezern said. “It’s not like Western and Bowling Green are such a crucible for amazing news. No, it’s because the students there learn how to find the news… and make it meaningful.”
Since his time at the Herald, journalism has taken a turn and become a different game, he said.
“We weren’t always writing on a deadline… text-based journalism moves now like broadcast journalism which I think is a challenge, and it means you’re also making decisions really quickly,” Dezern said.
Dezern said his time at the Herald peaked his senior year. Although he initially planned to not work at the Herald anymore, he was instead pulled into working on the magazine.
“That experience was my favorite because it was really in-depth storytelling – beautiful, photography because the layout was great,” Dezern said. “I got to write stories myself that I was really proud of and also bring to life a beautiful, beautiful magazine.”
Dezern said he believes writing is critical. He said the Herald allowing him to write constantly has helped him in everything he now does.
Since leaving the Hill, Dezern has made his mark on the world – from his nine years as a reporter at the Orlando Sentinel to graduating from Yale Law School and receiving his master of studies in law.
After ending the journalism portion of his life, Dezern became the Head of Public Relations at Disney World, eventually working as vice president for global relations for all Disney Parks and Resorts for over 20 years.
Now, Dezern is at the Hilton company as the vice president of global consumer and commercial communications.
News Reporter Kaylee Hawkins can be reached at kaylee.hawkins407@topper.wku.edu.
This piece is number 6/100 of Herald 100, a project to celebrate a century of the College Heights Herald. To see more from this project, click here.
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