By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
North Platte, Neb. - North Platte High School’s Bulldog Production students had a week to remember when alumnus Chris Gorman, now Senior Vice President at Hurrdat Media, returned to campus for workshops, classroom sessions, and hands-on experiences.
Gorman, who grew up in North Platte and graduated from NPHS before earning his degree in Organizational Communication and Marketing from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, spent two full days and an evening sharing his insights and experience with students.
From the moment he walked in, his energy and passion were evident. He worked with the podcasting team, spoke with digital media students about careers in content creation, and even visited the entrepreneurship class to explain how creativity and business intersect. During the last home football game, he joined the live sports production crew, helping students capture and produce content in real time.
“He talked to all those sections about careers and opportunities in digital media,” said Phil Willey, digital media instructor. “And he was really motivational too. He talked about how kids didn't have to be in like a little box… just like finding things that they're interested in,” adding that Gorman shared how his own career path was shaped by following his passions.
Gorman encouraged students to take risks and speak their ideas aloud. “Now is the time to go do the crazy thing or to like say your dream out loud,” he told them. He shared the story of a podcaster at Hurrdat who launched a top-ranked show simply by voicing an idea that seemed impossible. “She has sponsors, she’s on her first year of shows that she’s done, she’s getting recognized like out in the wild,” he said.
The visit offered more than inspiration. Willey highlighted how Gorman’s guidance during the football game production gave students practical skills in capturing and repurposing content.
“They came back with several social media videos they wouldn’t normally have had,” Willey said. “It was a really cool, hands-on lesson in thinking about content from every angle.”
Willey said students also learned that there isn’t a single path in media. Gorman described his own career as “chaotic… tough… crazy hours,” but ultimately one he “absolutely love[s].” He stressed the importance of curiosity, hard work, and passion — lessons that resonated deeply with the students.
For the students, seeing someone who walked the same halls achieve professional success was both inspiring and tangible. “It’s really cool having somebody of a different level who did something with where they came from and brought it back to the community,” Willey said.
The hands-on, real-life experience didn't end there for NPHS students. They also traveled to Lincoln for a behind-the-scenes look at Husker Vision, the University of Nebraska’s athletic media production operations. There, they toured the facilities, watched how live sports broadcasts are produced, and participated in a high school media day simulation. Willey said the experience was eye-opening.
“A lot of kids were blown away… a couple of them said that’s where they’re applying for college,” he said. The Lincoln trip offered students a real-world connection to the lessons they were learning from Gorman and a glimpse at professional media production at a high level.
Gorman praised Willey’s dedication and the school’s commitment to students. “I’ve never really, especially like in my adult life post-college, seen a teacher like that connect with students the way he does,” Gorman said. He noted Willey’s energy during a full Friday — from early morning classes to late-night teardown after the football game — and added, “The future is in good hands if we have educators like him.”
The visit was made possible through the NPPS Foundation, which seeks to connect alumni with students. Director Terri Burchell said, “The NPPS Foundation continually looks for ways to engage Bulldog alumni to share their talents with their high school alma mater, North Platte High School.”
Gorman plans to return to North Platte, promising, “I’ll definitely be back to talk to those students.”
For Bulldog Production students, the week was more than a visit — it was a masterclass in creativity, risk-taking, and professional growth, leaving a lasting impact and a renewed energy for their own projects.