2001 alum earned an engineering degree from MSU, but an interest in journalism sent her to a career in broadcast news.
Elizabeth Crenshaw ’01 (NDP) is a TV reporter with WILX News 10, serving Lansing and Jackson, Michigan. She says when she first got to college, she realized how incredible the education she received at Notre Dame was. 
She has a Bachelor of Science in engineering and honed her broadcast journalism skills at Specs Howard School of Media Arts. And, perhaps, it goes without saying that she’s no stranger to media with experience in print, digital, radio, TV and health news.
Crenshaw considers being a journalist a privilege and she works to make a real difference in the community. Every story is important to her and she loves being the voice for the voiceless.
But when Crenshaw isn’t digging for the next story, she loves teaching yoga, church, coaching track and basketball, spending time with family and friends, and watching sports – she is a sports fanatic!
In a recent interview with IRISH magazine, Crenshaw discussed her high school, college and her job, all of which have much in common, she said. “I love all of them!
IRISH: Tell us about your experience in college. How do you believe that your education at Notre Dame prepared you for success?
CRENSHAW: College is so much different than high school on so many levels. I attended Michigan State University “Go Green! Go White!” Once I arrived in East Lansing, I realized how incredible the education I received at Notre Dame really was. When you attend college, you have to be self-motivated. In college, no one is going to make you go to class, study or do your homework. It's up to you to decide and make the commitment to your education. College is where I grew up. I went from a teenager to a young woman all in a matter of four years. It was not easy by any stretch of the imagination. I was knocked down, but I kept getting up. It was also one the best time of my life, but also the most challenging. I met many friends for life of all races and nationalities.
Notre Dame Prep High School is an outstanding educational institution. The teachers who I had were the best in the state and allowed me to be ahead of the game when I started at Michigan State University. At the time, I didn’t enjoy the amount of homework every night, or the stress of Advanced Placement and honors classes, all the nights I spent crying over calculus. But reflecting on it now, it was all totally worth it.
I came to college with a solid foundation in math, reading, writing, science and history, which made my transition to MSU so much easier. Looking back, for the first few weeks of school, I didn’t have to learn new material. It was all review. I was significantly less stressed and more prepared than a lot of my classmates. The students, faculty and the administration of NDP truly care about the students and constantly pushed you to be the best. There are also lots of student organizations and sports teams to get involved with that teach you discipline and time management. A TRUE PERK: Being an athlete does pay off in life! I developed my socialization skills, and I learned how to work together as a team and how to recognize people's strengths and assign them roles accordingly. The result is a group that works harmoniously and efficiently.
Most importantly, I learned how to get along with a diverse group of people which expanded my understanding of the world and how alike we all are. Plus, I learned how to serve and give back to others through all of the community service opportunities at NDP.
Crenshaw has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Michigan State University and learned broadcast journalism at the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.
CRENSHAW: I started in the world of engineering. During my career in engineering, I had the opportunity to work for Pepsi Bottling Group, GM, and Fiat-Chrysler. However, I wasn't quite satisfied. I wanted more. I wanted to use my communication skills and creativity, so I left the engineering field and went into the field of journalism /communications.
I attended Specs Howard School of Media and Arts and worked on my journalistic skills at the Oakland Press, Civic Center TV, and HOMTV. From there, I landed my first on-air radio position at Power 96.5 FM for morning news and I produced for the Morning Wake-up Show with Dave Akerly and reported for 1320 WILS. I am currently in my first on-air reporting position at WILX Channel 10 in Lansing, Mich. Besides chasing the next best story, I love teaching yoga. I am a 500-RYT and E-RYT 200 yoga teacher as well as a yoga therapist. I love teaching classes both on the mat and in the world of fitness.
IRISH: What have been the big influences in your life so far?
CRENSHAW: I would like to first of all thank my mother and dad. They both have always pushed me to do and be my best—in the classroom and in sports. My parents taught me the value of education and how it is important to never stop learning. They also taught me through prayer and honoring God, the sky is the limit. Through them, I was always reminded that I could do anything that I set my mind to if even when people around you told you couldn't. I was always determined to succeed, and I hated losing. Whenever I had a goal, I would work hard to achieve it and move on to the next.
I wanted my legacy to be work hard, play hard, and be true to yourself, but most importantly, taking God with you every step of the way. My faith has been the true source of all my accomplishments.
In my current position, I was told that I would never be a reporter. However, I didn't give up; I just put in more work. Today, I thank God that I am living my dream in the Capitol of Michigan as a reporter.
IRISH: What are your favorite memories of Notre Dame Prep?
CRENSHAW: I have so many memories (and thank yous), so I will just share a few via some bullet points. . .
• I would like to thank Mr. David Fazzini for helping me get out of my comfort zone and join the Honors Choir where I even mustered up enough courage to sing solo. (Well, one time!).
• AP French class crepe parties with Mrs. Connors.
• High school trip to Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France, with Ms. Anderson and Ms. Connors as our chaperones and with my great classmates.
• Betty Wroubel’s Health and Phys Ed.
• Mr. Simon’s law class. I still remember my opening statement. Debating skills that proved handy in life.
• Irish week and the games.
• Long bus rides from volleyball and basketball games and track meets.
• Father Leon getting the school excited at our school’s pep rally. He was full of so much energy!
• Father Joe – he would always have a word of encouragement or something to say that was right on time.
• Mrs. Williams’ psychology class. She will always be missed and I know she’s watching us from heaven. Love you and miss you!
• The famous Coach Barbee walk—and track and field.
• Coach Murphy running with the girls in cross country.
• Running cross country my senior year on a dare. I was told sprinters couldn’t run long distance so I had to prove them wrong. By the way, if I could do it over, I would have run four years of cross country.
• Track practice – at the time we didn’t have a track at NDP so we had to run to Pontiac Northern as our warm-up and then practice and run back to school.
• And of course, our school restaurant, the Stuffed Bun! Thanks, Mr. Kherker!
Plus, the time we received our first soft-serve ice cream machine. Can you say heaven! I do miss NDP a lot! And it will always hold a special place in my heart!
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.