I graduated from DSJ in 1969 – this was 3 years before Mr. Gunder started his TV Programming class. Way back in 1969 John taught the “dramatic arts”. We did plays, poetry readings, and crafted our meager talents before live audiences.

   Following graduation I began classes at the OSU Branch and started working part time at WLIO TV in Lima - thanks to a hand up from fellow DSJ classmate Tim Byrne. Tim gave me my big break by allowing me to run the camera on Romper Room. Small stations like WLIO are wonderful for learning. The equipment would catch fire, sets fell down on the air, and instead of major sports - we carried putt-putt golf championships. It was a fantastic experience!  

   In 1974 I moved to Columbus and began work for WTVN AM FM & TV. (it’s now WSYX) Our TV studio had its own bowling lanes (bowling was as popular then as “Deal-No Deal” is now). While in Columbus, I got my first experiences with the bright lights and the big-ger city, I learned about radio and did a never-to-be-forgotten radio remote in NYC with a guy named Steve “Boom Boom” Cannon. There were a LOT of new things to learn - and some great memories from my time at WTVN.

   In 1979 I got a call from a friend at ABC News, so I piled everything I owned into an old Ford Galaxie and headed to Washington DC. The interview I was given was outlandish. While at ABC, I worked behind the scenes on “World News Tonight”, “Nightline” with Ted Koppel, and “Good Morning America”. I worked in the studio with the political “glitterati”, and at the White House. I was also lucky to be included in an Emmy that ABC Sports received for work on the 1984 Summer Olympics. I eventually received the title of Editor/ Producer and had some great assignments (plus some rotten ones). I had that job until 1997. Working in Washington was a real eye opener for a boy from the farm.  ABC (and the entire city) was full of brilliant people. It was like being in a real life “West Wing”. My producer had gone to school at Oxford and was as smart as a whip. My St Johns education was tested every day - and held up pretty well. If I can encourage the readers of one thing… always try to work with the smartest people you can find – it will make you the best person you can be... I really thank the folks at ABC.

   In 1997, after 18 years and with possible retirement looming, I instead chose to change careers. It was goodbye to ABC and hello distant shores. My wife had been given the opportunity to create an internet service in Sydney, Australia. In my role there I used everything I had learned on the farm, at Ohio State, and in all my media jobs to try to keep up with the development of this European, Australian and American joint venture. It was like drinking from a fire hose! We worked as hard as we could, and as fast as we could – and made some wonderful friends along the way.

   In 1999 we handed the reins of the business over to our Australian team, relocated to Florida and took a break from our years of 24/7/365 lifestyle.

   Today we get fewer paychecks - but stay just as busy. We do a lot of volunteer work with students and with several foundations. We also support some scholarship and community programs in Florida, Ohio, and Minnesota, my wife’s home state.

   I didn’t play sports at DSJ.. but I discovered in college that I liked the personal challenge of running, and I have been on the road since 1973. I have had the opportunity to run in strange places all over the world, and even completed a few marathons (Boston in 1988).

   My current passion is flying – I have flown all types of airplanes including hang gliders, hot air balloons, and experimental airplanes. In 2003 I participated in a round the world flight in a small plane (see the publication “Upon Silver Wings” by CarolAnn Garratt) – it was the ultimate adventure. I should have done a TV show about THAT trip! And since the world refuses to stop changing, I think I am going back to school again – will soon begin graduate work at Stetson University. 

   Well .. that’s about it for me. To all the other “Gunder Grads” I offer a tip of my hat and congratulations to you all!

Please stay in touch, and be a guiding light for those that come behind you.

www.dsjalumni.org

   Lyn & David Berelsman

   Celebration FL