For UT Martin sophomore Christian Bryson, meteorology is more than a science; it’s a service.
The Jackson resident and Madison Academic High School graduate is majoring in meteorology with an emphasis on broadcast meteorology, and he took part in the university’s new broadcast meteorology class last year.
As a broadcast meteorologist, Bryson sees the job as a means to educate and to serve the public.
“My goal is, No. 1, to communicate and educate in a revolutionary, relatable, yet still reliable manner,” he said. “For example, it’s common sense to say a hurricane is coming; therefore, every individual should evacuate – but not everybody can evacuate. Some people can’t afford to evacuate; some people are not able to evacuate.”
Bryson said he would want to use his position to inspire others to study geosciences in general or meteorology in particular.
“I want to see more people of color, bilinguals and minorities doing broadcast meteorology or just working in the field, period,” he said. “I want to be able to be an agent of inspiration towards those that are underrepresented.
“I also want to help legislate. Heather Mathis is a meteorologist at WTVF in Nashville, and she used to work in the Jackson market (at WBBJ), where I’m from. After witnessing several tornadic events in Middle Tennessee, she worked with the state legislature and got the Safer Places Bill passed. It allows churches and other organizations to open as a shelter without liability concerns as there was a lack of storm shelters across Tennessee. I endeavor to make an impact like that.”
Bryson said he got into meteorology because of his grandmother.
“Growing up, I just remember The Weather Channel,” he said. “The Weather Channel is what got me interested in weather. I watched The Weather Channel like I did cartoons. I would watch ‘Local on the 8’s,’ and something about that fascinated me.”
On campus, Bryson is a part of the Student Alumni Council and is an at-large member of the NAACP collegiate chapter, is a vice president of the American Meteorology Society student chapter and is the chief forecaster and a sports reporter at WUTM-FM.
Bryson’s parents are both UTM graduates. His mother, Ernelle (‘97), earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, while his father, Maurice (‘96), earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. While they encouraged him to go to UT Martin, Christian said they didn’t pressure him to go.
“I came here because I love the campus; I love the vibe, he said. “I don’t regret a single decision I made about coming here. The faculty are great; the students are great.
“I’ve been able to find my tribe. I tell people: ‘Once you find your tribe, you’ll be able to survive and thrive.’”
