WKAR'sMorning Edition has a new addition: it's the voice of Mary Ellen Pitney. Let's get to know her a bit with a quick Q&A:
What are you looking forward to most about your new home in Michigan?
I love adventure and I love discovering new places. I am looking forward to getting to know the area and feed my curiosity by exploring Michigan. I also am excited to see the Great Lakes. I've heard that they're pretty great!
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be super speed. Mainly to save time in the mornings.
What will you miss most about Pullman, Washington?
I miss the landscape. Washington is full of different and beautiful ecological regions and Pullman is situated in the Palouse, which is characterized by lush, green rolling hills and striped with rivers and creeks. It's breathtaking. There are also good people there too, whom I miss dearly.
Rumor has it that you like to play a certain sport. Can you share more about that?
Yes, I do play roller derby. It’s so much fun, and it’s a great way for me to unleash my competitive side. I’ve been playing for nearly three years, and I love it. I get to live as my alter ego when I skate: my derby name is Mary Queen of Knocks. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and roller derby satiates that part of me nicely.
What is your secret to making sure you’re wide awake and ready to go on the air for Morning Edition?
My secret to being wide awake for Morning Edition is a really intense round of car karaoke on my way into work. It wakes me up, puts some pep in my step and helps warm up my voice.
What encouraged you to work in public radio?
My mom listened to public radio religiously, which means growing up, I listened to public radio all the time. Every morning, on the way to school, we'd listen to Morning Edition, and every day, on the way home, we'd listen to All Things Considered. I landed a job as a student at Northwest Public Broadcasting first as a music librarian, and there I found an amazing mentor who pushed me to be great. She motivated me to take my student job and make it my career.
Join Mary Ellen Pitney every weekday on WKAR's Morning Edition from 5 a.m. – 9 a.m.
