1980s
1980s Alumni Profiles
Jeffrey Bessen ('83, Journalism, Broadcasting and Speech) is the editor of two South Shore community weekly newspapers in Sayville, N.Y., in Suffolk County on Long Island. In his three-plus years as editor of the Suffolk County News and Islip Bulletin, he has won five New York Press Association Awards for writing and photography, including first-place for sports feature and second place for news story. Before being promoted to editor in June 2005, he served as the fulltime reporter for those newspapers, and prior to that, the fulltime reporter for the Long Island Advance. Before becoming a staff reporter, Jeffrey freelanced for Suffolk Life Newspapers, the Smithtown News and Long Island Sports. He also worked for WINS Newsradio, where he wrote sports and was a fulltime news production assistant. Jeffrey, who lives in Lindenhurst, N.Y., with his wife Christine and children Matthew, 11, and Elizabeth, 2 1/2, earned a master of science in mass communication from Miami of Ohio University in 1986. He can be reached at scnibletter@optionline.net.
Tom Calderone ('85, Broadcasting) is Executive Vice President and General Manager at VH-1. Tom has received many awards and much recognition in the music industry, including Billboard magazine's "Program Director of the Week." While at Buffalo State, he was a driving force behind the alternative-music format of WBNY-FM 91.3. In 2000, Tom was inducted into the Communication Department's Hall of Fame. Tom has returned to campus on several occasions as a guest lecturer or workshop presenter.
Mylous Hairston ('86, Broadcasting) is a reporter and news anchor for WIVB-TV4 in Buffalo, having previously worked at television stations in Syracuse and Elmira. He has distinguished himself professionally, winning both an Emmy for television research and the Golden Eagle award. Mylous is a member of the Buffalo State Media Advisory Council and a frequent master of ceremonies at campus events. He also is one of the "faces" seen on the college Web site. While an undergraduate student, Mylous was a news reporter and DJ on the campus radio station, WBNY-FM 91.3.
Pete Frisoni Jr. ('87, Broadcasting) became a police officer in 1988. Currently a detective captain in charge of the Investigative Services Bureau of the Schenectady Police Department, he put his communication degree to good use from 2001-2007, when he was the department's public information officer and primary spokesman, interacting with the Capital Region media as well as with national and international news organzations on serveral occasions. He can be reached at pfrisonijr@yahoo.com.
Darrin Klayman ('87, Broadcasting) has been with Katz Media Group since his graduation 21 years ago. He started as an intern for KMG while attending Buffalo State, and grew through the ranks, holding positions as account executive, sales manager, regional VP, general sales manager and VP and general manager, his current position. He can be reached at Darrin.Klayman@cckatzadvantage.com.