NLU Alumni Magazine
A Different View Events planner uses NLU program to change careers, launch local history movement By Nicholas A. Love
Lisa Zimbler ‘14, M.S. in Written Communication , entered the special events industry in 1989, directing more than 500 weddings and celebrations during her career. She built her experience managing event catering for restaurants and hotels, experience that blossomed into her own business, Lisa Zimbler Events. In 2010, Zimbler started looking for a way to bring writing, an early love, back into her busy life. An NLU ad featuring Marjie Killeen, a National Louis University alumna and graduate of the Written Communication program, sparked her interest. As Zimbler advanced through the Written Communication program, she was offered an internship with 22nd Century Media. Zimbler enjoyed writing hyperlocal news stories that made a difference in her own community, and when the internship came to a close, she knew she was ready for more. She approached Joanne Koch, Ph.D., director of the M.S. in Written Communication program, who connected her with Marjie Killeen. Because of this relationship, Zimbler was offered an internship with “Make It Better” magazine, and an invitation to contribute as a freelance writer. After working to profile a local resident working with veterans to promote the historic achievements of the Naval Air Station in Glenview, Zimbler was inspired to help. She expanded on a public relations class assignment to produce her thesis project “Wings Over Glenview,” a documentary- style oral history film chronicling the legacy of the naval air station.
Zimbler knew how to write a script, but had little experience behind a camera. Partnering with 12 students from Glenbrook South High School’s Advanced Television class seemed to be the perfect partnership to get the film made and have the chance to educate students in the community on their own local history. The “Wings Over Glenview” production team was formed and the group had only a semester to film and conduct seven hours of veteran interviews, turning that raw footage into a 30-minute video. “It was a very aggressive project,” she admits. “It was like cutting pieces of your body off. There were so many good parts that had to be cut to tell the story well within the time frame.” Zimbler was able to parlay her experience with script writing and oral histories at NLU, and after hours of hard work and an important collaboration with a local historical advisor, the video was finished before the film’s premiere deadline.
The documentary has been given repeat viewings in the community and Zimbler’s hope is that it may assist in inspiring the community to consider a more suitable location to showcase the Naval Air Station museum than the one currently operated solely by Glenview veterans themselves. “As a community we have to honor these service men and women for what they have done for our country,” Zimbler said. “If my film contributes to this effort in some small way, then I will feel good that I have done something to help.” The Glenview Public Library has added the documentary to its collection and local schools have incorporated it as a companion piece for local history curriculum. Zimbler is working to connect with even more schools and libraries in the future. “I still have a lot of work to do,” Zimbler insists. Yet many will agree her work has already taken flight.
Watch “Wings Over Glenview” nl.edu/wings
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