b'RAIDERF RO M FA N C Y T R E E H O U S E S T O G L A S S O U T H O U S E SROADJOHN BARTELL 08Television (RVTV). You can still check it out on YouTube. It was a half-hour sketch-comedy show that has, arguably, one of the most fascinatinga group of classmates and I did for three years. Thats when I got the television bug and decided that TV jobs in broadcasting. As host of Bartellswas the right way to go, he said.Backroads on ABC10 in Sacramento, CA,That television bug led him to a job at Medfords ABC affiliate, KDRV. He started in the audio Bartell travels across California and Oregonoperations booth but quickly transitioned to reporting. His first break came during a fishing travel exploring little-known locales and engagingsegment called Fish On, though Bartell didnt know with communities. I get to do road tripsmuch about fishing. Ive been faking it to make it my whole life. I tell myself, oh, sure, you can do for a living, he said. With a camera crewthat, and then I figure it out along the way, he said. Thats just kind of how it works. Get yourself into a in tow, Bartell has visited places such as amess and see if you can get out of it.Tireless work, curiosity, and enthusiasm led to treehouse resort in Cave Junction, OR, aother reporting jobs in Pennsylvania and Texas. fish museum in Chowchilla, CA, and iconicWhile in Texas, he earned Best Reporter in Texas from the Associated Press, as well as multiple Emmys boathouses in Encinitas, CA. and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative work about border issues and police corruption. I For Bartell, SOU was a great place to start his careerthink investigative reporting is absolutely the most journey. Unlike many students who choose the universityimportant job in journalism, but man, it can break for its small size, Bartell had a very different impression.you. I had to step away before it broke me. Journalism Im a farm kid from a little town in Eastern Oregonis not an easy job, he said.called Imbler. My graduating high school class was 18Today, with Bartells Backroads, he can enjoy the kids, he said. Ashland was a big city to me, and SOU wasaspect of reporting he enjoys the most. Bartells a big school. It cultured me in a very good way. favorite segment is about a glass outhouse in Wonder Bartell focused his studies on video production,Valley, CA. Its a literal glass outhouse in the middle and he credited one particular faculty memberof nowhere. Its an art installation, and the woman with helping him through some challenging classeswho built it is the most eclectic and witty person, and encouraging him to extend his comfort zone.he said. She saw people pulling their car over and Professor Mark Chilcoat was a great instructor. I wasassumed they were trying to find somewhere to use very intimidated by him, but he ended up becomingthe restroom. So she built an outhouse with one-way one of my best friends. He really helped shape who Iglass. You can see out of it, but you cant see in. Shes am today, said Bartell. His classes were challenging,hilarious, and her story always reminds me that there and he had high expectations; but he realized I hadare good people out there just living the way they live.dyslexia, took me under his wing, pushed me to getBartell has great memories of SOU. That school the help I needed, and continued to hold me to a highallowed me to fit in and grow. It is one of the most standard, he said.accepting places. I left with great friendships that I As a student, Bartell hosted a show called Bartellsstill have and with a greater understanding of myself Half Hour of Power on SOU-supported Rogue Valleyand the world.6 NEWS FROM SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY'