Western Illinois University will collaborate with Waubonsee Community College to provide a seamless transfer process for broadcasting students.

Last week, representatives of both schools signed a transfer agreement, a 2 + 2 program, to benefit students who begin their education at Waubonsee and finish a bachelor's degree in any of three broadcasting majors at Western. The program will allow the students to complete their degrees in four years. 

Through the program, students can complete a degree at Waubonsee and then earn a bachelor's degree from Western in sports broadcasting, broadcasting production or broadcasting news/performance.

The 2 + 2 program was solidified after Waubonsee students visited Western Illinois University's campus to look at the opportunities the school's broadcasting program offers. The visit was suggested by Western Illinois University's alumnus Paul Strater, who received his associate's degree from Waubonsee in 2010 and his bachelor's degree in broadcasting in 2012. Strater is a senior broadcast engineer at WYIN-TV, channel 56, Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville, Ind. 

Waubonese students were "blown away" by the quality of WIU's Department of Broadcasting, according John Bitterman, associate professor of communications at Waubonsee Community College.

Waubonsee graduate Dan Niederkorn was among the students who visited Western Illinois University and later completed a transfer into the broadcasting program.

Niederkorn said he has been impressed with the opportunities offered to him through working in Western's production teams through sports broadcasts and campus news programs. 

"Young people come to us from Waubonsee and start to contribute right away," William "Buzz" Hoon, Western Illinois University's broadcasting department chair, said in a statement.

Hoon said he is pleased at the possibility of drawing more Waubonsee graduates to Western Illinois University because the community college's program "produces outstanding graduates."