The fund, named after the late Newhouse alumnus Larry Barron ’87, aims to carry on the TV executive’s legacy of mentoring young people and connecting them with other leaders in the media and entertainment industries.
My name is Maddie Doolittle, I graduated this past May from Syracuse University as a member of the class of 2024. While at Syracuse, I was a dual major at Newhouse and Whitman, with majors in television, radio and film and supply chain management respectively.
During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the inaugural recipients of the Larry Barron Fund for Mentorship, which is a four-day visit to Los Angeles to meet executives in media and entertainment, and so much more. Like Larry, I was a very active member of WJPZ, the on-campus radio station that changed my life and so many others. Currently, I work as an executive assistant to the VP of content, programming and marketing at Vevo in New York City.
The Larry Barron Fund for Mentorship trip was undoubtedly one of the best experiences not just of my college career, but of my life. I come from a small town in western Massachusetts, and I didn’t grow up with the resources to travel. As someone who dreamed of working in the music and entertainment industries, even the chance to visit Los Angeles was an incredible opportunity.
My itinerary for the trip took me to companies like Audacy, Caffeine.tv, NFL Studios, the FYI.AI headquarters and Amazon Music. Not only was I able to connect with a handful of really great people doing jobs I could only dream of doing, but the trip showed me I could belong professionally in a place so far from home and at companies I’ve always admired.
From creating lasting relationships with professionals at Amazon Music to somehow ending up at the surprise reunion show of my favorite band, the best way I can describe my time in LA is serendipitous. I’m a steadfast believer in the saying “everything happens for a reason,” and I truly believe that what is meant for you will not pass you by. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program and to have had the opportunity to honor Larry, his spirit and his passion for mentorship.
The application deadline for the Larry Barron Mentorship Fund is Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Maddie Doolittle ’24 is an alumna of the television, radio and film program at the Newhouse School.