While some people find their calling late in life, Adam Ellick started on his path to a career in journalism before he arrived on South Hill. Ellick sold his first freelance piece at the age of 15. Today, Ellick’s resume boasts an Emmy, a Pulitzer, and three Overseas Press Club awards. The 1999 Ithaca College Grad currently serves as the Director and Executive Producer of Opinion Video at The New York Times.
The Philadelphia native chose IC because of the reputation of the Roy H. Park School of Communications. Ellick said getting hands-on experience with WICB radio, The Ithacan, and ICTV allowed him to develop as a journalist.
“I invested a tremendous amount of time honing my reporting skills on campus. At The Ithacan, I was the football beat reporter for two years, and I also worked as a reporter and producer at ICTV.”
In addition to his work with campus media outlets, Ellick said there were two professors that encouraged him to think and write critically, and helped prepare him for his professional pursuits.
“Jill Swenson was a drill sergeant who ran a journalism boot camp with grace, and sometimes, even a touch of compassion. Ben Crane had a profound impact on my ideology as a journalist and more broadly, as a person. He was a true inspiration, and his classes taught me precious skills that I still apply today on a consistent basis. I am deeply indebted to both of them.”
Ellick said his education hasn’t stopped with the IC diploma because he seeks to learn more each and every day.
“The journalism department gifted me many precious lessons: values and ethics, hard skills like research and writing, and a technical proficiency to leap into the real world,” Ellick said. “I am always trying to learn and to improve, so I see my career more as a constant evolution, a never-ending education.”
Ellick, an avid traveler, spends most of his free time “exploring far flung corners of the world.” He also enjoys hiking and running, cooking, and eating spicy foods.