The box is heavy, carrying pounds of something David Horn is trying to keep a secret. The top is open, since he had to check on the product he cultivated, but he tries to keep it closed as he weaves in and out of the bustling hallway of Hunter’s third floor. But it isn’t easy. He’s constantly being stopped by students, whether they’re checking in with him or just saying hello. He holds the box a little tighter with every colleague he passes. He can’t spoil the surprise. They’ll have to wait and see.
Specifically, they’ll have to wait until May 8, when the radio club’s Jeopardy Night happens. Horn is the treasurer of Where Hunter College Speaks (WHCS) radio station, and he made sure the prizes for the Jeopardy winners would be something to remember.

It took months of planning, dozens of emails, and most of all—effort. Dealing with the College Association wasn’t easy, and finding a way to budget the club’s funds was even harder.
But as Horn thinks about the budget, he’s on his way to work. First at CUNYTV, where he hosts their first student-run podcast, CUNY Uncut. Horn plans interviews, edits the podcast, and runs their social media. But his favorite thing to do is speak to people; students and non-students all around CUNY.
“I get to branch out to New York City. That’s where my passion is,” Horn said.
Next, Horn gets to the Hunter campus, where he’s a junior studying media and statistics. He excels in his journalism classes, specifically Studio News. There, he gets the hands-on experience of a newsroom, producing, anchoring, and writing sports scripts for Hunter’s news broadcast, Hunter News Now.
His professor and Director of the journalism department at Hunter, Sissel McCarthy, is always impressed by his work.
“What makes David stand out is the perfect mix of on-camera charisma and off-camera hustle,” she said. “Covering sports isn’t just an assignment for David—it’s a calling. You can see it in every segment he produces.”
When he isn’t in class, he’s checking in on the radio studio, or commentating at the Hawks games. He rarely has any free time, but keeps a smile on his face throughout the day.

In Horn’s eyes, his duties are more than just that. They’re his passion. Not only does his work in podcasting and radio help his future as a broadcaster, but being good at communication is what he said helps him stay grounded despite his busy schedule.
“If you show that you’re calm, people will be more calm around you,” he said after taking a seat in the small radio room where WHCS sets up camp. Horn prides the radio club in being open to everyone, even if they aren’t involved in the club. Students stop by in between classes to chat with friends, or even just to check out what the club is doing for the day.
His co-worker, and the general manager at WHCS radio, Stella Chu, said she would probably break down if she juggled as many things as Horn did (though Horn confirmed that he cannot juggle).
“I know he’s going to be an amazing successor to my position at WHCS radio. I know he’s going to make it even bigger and even better. WHCS, Hunter College, whoever you are, you are very lucky to have a person like David in your life,” said Chu.

WHCS is the biggest club at Hunter, with over 100 members. The room is filled with music memorabilia, including posters and vinyls of over a dozen artists. Though the space is small, students say it’s welcoming.
A studio within the room is filled with guitars and other instruments to help students with their musical passion. And anyone can use the amenities.
Horn’s vision is for WHCS to be a free, open space. He said he wants “to give resources so people can be creative and do what they like to do.”
While students can already enjoy the radio room as it is, the team is working on expanding the club. Horn says they’d like to assign more jobs to get more students involved. The future for the club could include an advanced studio, as well as a podcasting class to help students get experience in radio and music.
Horn assured he will make it happen, even with his busy schedule.
“It may seem like a lot, but I enjoy everything that I do. Anything I do, I do because it’s fun,” he said.
David Horn stands out among the journalism students at Hunter and wants to make sure every student has the opportunity to flourish as he does.
And the box he hid from everyone? Filled with T-shirts he plans to give out to everyone at the Jeopardy event.
