Meteorologist Follows Forecast to Fort Wayne

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Posted on August 9, 2021

Thomas Becnel

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#MyFirstJob is a series focused on University of South Alabama graduates who are beginning their careers.

DeVonte’ Dixon, a South meteorology graduate beginning a broadcasting career, says there’s no secret to working with green screen technology.

Computer software such as Chroma Key allow on-air meteorologists to point, wave and talk about the detailed weather maps projected behind them.

It’s harder than it looks. The idea is to make it look easy.

“At first, it is kind of tricky – you have to adjust yourself to pointing at something that’s not there,” Dixon said. “But there are side monitors where you can see yourself. It’s like riding a bike. You practice, practice, practice and get the hang of it.”

At the University of South Alabama, Dixon got the hang of it. He did daily broadcasts for the USA AtmosCenter, a student-run system that provides weather updates to students, faculty and staff.

A sample of his broadcasting work impressed the staff at WFFT Fox 55 News in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a city slightly bigger than Mobile. They hired him as a multimedia journalist and weekend meteorologist.

Meteorology and Marching Band

Dixon is from Pensacola, Florida.

“Growing up, I wanted to be an art teacher, but I’d see the weather and how it would change, going from a beautiful day to rain and storms, and I was fascinated by that,” he said. “I started to see meteorologists on TV and thought, ‘Hmm, that’s something I’d want to do.’”

On April 27, 2011 – Dixon remembers the date – he watched news reports of the deadly tornados that swept across the South, including an EF4 that killed 65 people as it tore through Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

“That really drew my attention, especially about being a broadcast meteorologist,” he said. “I’m all for the people, making sure people are weather-aware, prepared for their day. Ever since then, I’ve moved forward with my goals.”

Dixon is the first college graduate from his family. Earning a Bachelor of Science was one of his goals. He’s proud of that.

At Pensacola High School, Dixon played trombone in the marching band. It was the meteorology program at South, plus the Jaguar Marching Band, that helped him decide to attend college in Mobile.

“Being away from home, but not too far away, I thought it was the right choice,” he said. “And a family friend attended South a few years back. She thought it was a great idea.”

On campus, Dixon lived in the Delta residence halls. He worked at a coffee-and-donut shop near campus. He joined the Collegiate 100, an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America organization, and became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Inc.

He arranged his busy schedule around band practices and performances.

“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “I had a great time. That’s where I met most of my friends, by being in the band.”

In 2020, the opening of Hancock Whitney Stadium was a thrill. Restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, though, included limits on live musical performances at football games.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to perform on the field,” Dixon said, “but we had a video performance taken on the field that was shown on the big screen.”

At South, the science curriculum for meteorology included classes in physics, calculus and differential equations. Other courses covered everything from convective storms to weather forecasting and hurricanes.  

Dixon’s professors included Alan Sealls, chief meteorologist at NBC-15, WPMI, in Mobile. The 10-time Emmy Award-winner drew national attention for his weather forecasting during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“Everyone knows how amazing and awesome Alan is,” he said. “He was a mentor and someone I looked up to.”

The 2021 graduating class at South included a half-dozen meteorology students with a concentration in broadcasting. All six have found jobs at television stations.

“We’ve spread out across the United States,” Dixon said. “From Indiana to Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wyoming and Oregon.”

He just moved to Indiana. He’s still training for his new job at Fox 55 News. Meteorologists at the station have been encouraging.

“They tell me that they’ve all been in my position,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to have questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

During the week, Dixon will be working on social media features, along with broadcast packages. He’ll be the on-air meteorologist Friday through Sunday.

Dixon plans to learn and grow as a broadcaster and meteorologist. In just a few months, the weather will be different.

“I’m looking forward to winter,” he said. “The only snow I’ve experienced was the snow event we had in December of 2017.”

His mother wasn’t so enthusiastic about him leaving the Gulf Coast. Fort Wayne is a long way from Pensacola. But she’s coming around.

“Every mom is sad to see their child leave, but she’s very happy for me,” Dixon said. “I think she’s more excited than I am.”

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