By: Creighton Branch

 

ARLINGTON, Texas- Just as she captures stories through her camera lens LaDonna Aiken captured her calling in life from an early age and was ready to take the opportunities and adventures that life presented her.

 

Born in Irving, Texas and raised in Dallas, Aiken was a journalist in her high school as well as the editor of the newspaper. Through these activities, it did not take long for her to realize that journalism was what she was meant to do, according to Aiken

 

During her senior year in high school at the age of 17 looking to have opportunities for college, Aiken enlisted into the Marines and in 1984 she went to boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina.

 

“It was hard but I definitely don’t regret it at all. I wouldn’t want to do it again but it was an experience I was glad I went through because it pushes you so that you feel nothing is impossible,” Aiken said.

 

Not ready to go into full-time service due to only having a job option as a supply clerk, Aiken joined as a reservist where once a month she would go to training during a weekend. However, it was not long until an opportunity presented itself to her.

 

Going international

 

Returning from boot camp, Aiken enrolled into the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984 while continuing to be a supply clerk in the military.

Within a year, she had an opportunity to go to DINFOS, the defense information school for military journalists, broadcasters, and public affairs professionals. After graduating at the top of her class in broadcasting, the Marines offered her full-time duty in Okinawa, Japan. According to Aiken, without hesitating, she took the job.

 

“It was like an adventure,” Aiken said. “That’s what I love about journalism and news reporting. Just interesting stories all around the world and something new and different to look at.”

 

During her time in Japan, Aiken served in many roles, from radio DJ to reporter and news anchor, where she reported on military training as well as culture and event stories that happened around the island.

 

Far East Network Okinawa was the only over-the-air American TV channel available in Okinawa at the time, transmitting American programs and live, local newscasts each evening to the military and much of the island.

 

“It was fun and really was all about helping our service members,” Aiken said. “[To Help those service members] not feel so isolated while completing their mission. When you’re so far away from home, having music and television you recognize is a big morale boost.”

 

Returning Stateside

 

After the United Nations military operation Desert Storm took place, what was initially supposed to be a one year tour in Japan turned into a two and a half year tour of duty. After, Aiken returned back to the U.S., she was stationed in Twentynine Palms, California where she began her family as her enlistment ended.

 

Aiken and her family moved back to Texas, where things took a turn with divorce and life as a single parent. She embarked on a career as a freelance videographer, which allowed her to be home with her children and continue to do the work she loved. Her award-winning work opened doors for her, leading to opportunities to present seminars to video groups across the country.

 

Discovery of A New Love

 

Although public speaking was not her first love, she discovered she enjoyed sharing her knowledge and helping others, according to Aiken. She decided to focus on teaching others her video production expertise, something she says she loves to do. She re-enrolled at UTA in 2011 and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting, finally completing her Master’s degree in 2015 with a thesis on the history of military broadcasting at FEN Okinawa.

 

“[Video production] got me through hard times,” Aiken said. “Using those skills I was able to raise my kids and be there for them and make money doing something I loved.”

 

Aiken continues to teach Introduction to Broadcast, TV Production and Multimedia and Corporate Video classes within the Department of Communication where according to Aiken, she tries to mold young minds and help students discover their strengths.

 

Sopuruchi Maryanne Obialasor, a Broadcast and Advertising major who interned for Aiken this semester says she has learned a lot while working under her.

 

“[Aiken] is someone I aspire to be in the future, Obialasor said. “I just wanted to be like her. Her story touched me and ever since [I first met her] I have always looked up to her and have always seen her as a role model.”

 

Along with teaching classes, she also is the professor who advises for the Broadcast Education Association, the only broadcast club on campus which is designed to help students make connections, receive scholarships and take their broadcast major to a more in-depth level.

 

Joe Scanlan, the vice president of the Broadcast Education Association says the time he has spent around Aiken has really shown him how great of a professor she is.

 

“She seems to genuinely care about her students,” Scanlan says. “She tries to help out students in any way that she can and I respect her for that.”

In her spare time as a hobby, she continues to produce videosof her own for family and longtime clients. Never forgetting what she loves