Connor Hackling

By: Elise Taylor

After working in Columbus, Georgia, for over 10 years, Connor Hackling is returning to Georgia's Lowcountry, which is familiar to him in more ways than one. 

Connor Hackling, a 2013 graduate of Georgia Southern, is returning to Savannah as WSAV's new news director. This move is more than a job relocation; it's a chance to be closer to family and his alma mater, which shaped him. Hackling now wants to serve the community.

"This was always a destination, Savannah, to get back. I have family in the area, obviously loved the area while I was in college," Hackling said. "This was always kind of our destination place and we're looking forward to being here."

Hackling's new job, just over a 40-minute drive from his alma mater, reminds him of his time at Georgia Southern. The university taught him many life lessons that he still takes to work every day. 

One class in particular pushed him to his limits: media law and ethics, taught by the late Kent Murray. Although it was one of his toughest classes, and he would often lose sleep over it, it prepared him for his current career. 

"Kent Murray was great at two things. He was a great communicator and he was a great teacher, but he pushed you as well. He pushed me in that class," Hackling said. 

As news director, he uses media law and ethics in today's growing digital industry to be 

aware of the communication and culture surrounding the news he helps deliver daily.

Although Kent Murray is no longer alive, Hackling had other teachers who stuck out to him, and he also stuck out to them. 

"He was a really, really good student. He was in video production classes that I had and he just was excellent and he was that student that you don't forget," professor Tyson Davis said. "I remember him being somebody that I could rely on to get the job done. When you have a student like that, it's very easy to predict that they're going to do well in the workforce." 

Being close to his alma mater has a deeper meaning when working at WSAV, as they have partnered with Georgia Southern. Hackling hopes to get involved with the school to help students have experiences similar to his. As a student, he worked at Georgia Southern's 91.9 the Buzz and called Georgia Southern football games, giving him hands-on experience.

"I love working with young journalists," Hackling said. "This industry has changed and we still see young grads hungry, looking to break stories, looking to serve communities, that makes you feel good."

Not only does he love being able to facilitate mentorship roles, but he also gets to work with alums just like him, which is the icing on the cake of his new position. 

"We've got a ton of Georgia Southern grads, which I was really excited about. I couldn't believe the number of Georgia Southern grads we had in the newsroom my first week," he said.

Through the WSAV newsroom in Sanford, as well as providing internship and mentorship opportunities, Hackling hopes to connect with more students in the future. He hopes to be a face on campus and offer opportunities not previously provided to students. WSAV staff 

also seem optimistic about what Hackling brings to the organization. 

"Connor has been with us for a short time. However, I am looking forward to seeing how he showcases leadership," said Nakya Harris, WSAV multimedia journalist. "It's inspiring to see Eagle alums sharing a common goal." 

Now that Hackling is back in Savannah he's excited to make a difference—not just as the student he was over 10 years ago but as a person who meets people in the community, knows their needs, and fulfills them daily.