Meet Terry Dolph MCJ Engineer and Student Mentor

As a writer, announcer, producer, creative director, and now chief engineer at CMAC, Terry Dolph brings a plethora of knowledge and expertise to the Fresno State Media, Communications and Journalism department.

“Adjusting the cameras, the set, everything that involves the physical structure and electronics of the studio. I’m responsible for and I’ve built that with the help of student engineers and other volunteers,” said Dolph.

His work behind the scenes has made the campus TV studio one to be envied even by professionals in the business. But his biggest reward comes from being a mentor to students.

“Every semester he’ll pick somebody who he thinks is headed in the direction of being a studio engineer or doing some type of behind-the-scenes work, and then he works with them one-on-one teaching them all of the skills that they’ll need to get a job in the industry,” said Faith Sidlow, MCJ department chair.

Dolph is a fixture at Fresno State. He graduated as a bulldog in 1976 and returned to his alma mater eight years ago, as a member of the staff.

With his years in media, communication and journalism, Dolph has a vision of the direction he sees the department and industry moving.

“I’d like to see more interest in technology and teaching a technology course would be nice, which we’re talking about that. A management course would also be nice,” said Dolph.

Dolph’s long-lasting contribution to the MCJ Department won’t be the studio set or technology in the control room. It will be the connections he made with students and staff.

Former Fresno State student and current MCJ staff member, Natalie Nigg works beside Dolph in the MCJ Fresno State Focus Crew class.

“Terry is a very generous person,” said Nigg. “He gives so much of his time, so much of his expertise, and his knowledge in engineering and media and broadcasting to anyone and everyone he meets.”

When not at the CMAC office, you can find Dolph in the MCJ TV studio helping engineer the weekly newscast, “Fresno State Focus,” and mentoring students.

“He has a real talent for bringing people together, and you know he’s just fantastic,” said Nigg.