Students Lend Expertise to ‘Commercial’Venture ennsylvania College of Technology students played P. Chargois, lead editor, Annville; Matthew A. Demick, a large role in the production of a Williamsport production assistant, Reston, Va.; Elke S. Geis, camera Symphony Orchestra television commercial that operator, Elsenfeld, Germany; Joseph C. Hersh, camera promoted a symphony performance in the fall. operator, Mountain Top; Andrea C. Herziger, camera PThe 59-second spot aired in the Williamsport area on operator, Donauwoerth, Germany; Jacob R. Hoover, editor, 21 channels – including CNN, TLC, Nickelodeon, MTV and Williamsport; David N. Hull, camera operator, Annville; ESPN – from Oct. 1-11. Thirteen students helped with its Brian E. Kehoe, production assistant, Jacobus; Asa E. production. Their titles included writer, editor, production Kelley, technical director, Jersey Shore; Daniel N. McKim, assistant, camera operator and technical director. production assistant, Hanover; and Steven J. Morrison, “They really had their hands in almost every single production, Howard. department of the production,” said Carlos Saldivia, The commercial was shot at the Community Arts Center executive producer. in two days and was produced – from the immediate pre- Saldivia, the owner and operator of First Contact in production planning to post-production editing – in two Williamsport, provided the work without charge to the weeks. Penn College students WSO. The approximately 50 people executed all of the editing. “It’s in the crew also volunteered their really professional-grade. ... I work. can’t emphasize enough the absolute treasure the students “ I can’t emphasize enough were,” Saldivia said. Penn College staff also the absolute treasure volunteered to help with the production, including the students were.” Jason M. Hopple, maitre d’hotel at the College’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, Many of the Penn College students who was in charge of food who helped with the production (From left) Jacob R. Hoover, student; David N. Hull, student; supply; Kevin W. Johnson, are in the College’s Digital Media Bruce E. Huffman, instructor of media arts/video production; an environmental specialist Editing class, taught by Bruce E. Bryon Carey, production consultant; Christopher J. Legarski, lab assistant, media arts; and Asa E. Kelley, student, prepare who served as a production Huffman, instructor of media arts/video to photograph actor Jason Fetter (seated at table). assistant; and Christopher production. Others live near Saldivia in J. Legarski, a part-time lab assistant in media arts, who Williamsport. worked extensively on the project as producer. Huffman The students who volunteered are: Tabitha K. was the senior production consultant. The College also Beaver, production (writing), New Columbia; Michael J. provided video and lighting equipment. Blakeslee, production assistant, New Cumberland; Jean Photos by Melinda Saldivia Student Tabitha K. Beaver prepares for the (From left) Students Steven J. Morrison and shoot. Joseph C. Hersh; lab assistant Christopher J. Legarski; and student David N. Hull test the Christopher J. Legarski wields one of video equipment. the video cameras. VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1 Contents Director of College Information & Community Relations 2 Fast-Paced TV News ‘Way of Life’ for Alumnus Elaine J. Lambert Don’t call TV photojournalism a “job,” this Emmy Award-winning graduate says. Issue Editor Joseph S. Yoder 4 Student-Newspaper Experience Fueled Publisher’s Desire Editorial Contributors A stint with the Spotlight helped to launch an alumnus’ career in print journalism. Jennifer A. Cline Tom Wilson 6 Every Picture Tells a Story Design & Production A Fulbright Scholar discusses with Arab students the impact of Deborah K. Carter dominant media images in a post-9/11 world. Larry D. Kauffman Heidi Mack Phillip C. Warner 8 Follow the Best Advice K. Park Williams An alumna relates how she moved from journalism to public relations Production Assistant without losing her dignity. Sarah K. Patterson Alumni Notes 10 Publicity’s Glow Spotlights Student-Focused Mission Connie Funk How Penn College burnished its reputation for excellence with a little help from Photographic Contributors its friends in the national media. Deborah K. Carter Jennifer A. Cline Larry D. Kauffman 12 As Radio Evolves, College Fine-Tunes Training Phillip C. Warner Technological advances and media consolidation spell changes in the job market, Tom Wilson and curriculum, for Mass Media Communication students. Joseph S. Yoder 14 Alumna Sees Newspapers as ‘Force for Positive Change’ An editor offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tragedies and triumphs chronicled in a daily newspaper. www.pct.edu An affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania College of Technology does not discriminate in admission by race, color, religion, national origin, sex, Regular Features handicap, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, or any characteristic against which discrimination is prohibited 17 In Touch With Alumni by applicable law, and operates on a nondiscriminatory basis throughout the institution. 18 Campus Collage 20 Faculty/Staff Focus One College Avenue, One College Avenue, To submit items for consideration, a quarterly publication of Pennsylvania published by the Office of College or to subscribe, contact: College of Technology, is dedicated to Information & Community Relations, One College Avenue, DIF 30 sharing the educational development, goals considers for publication materials Pennsylvania College of Technology and achievements of Penn College students, submitted by students, alumni, faculty, staff alumni, faculty and staff with one another and other individuals. One College Avenue One College Avenue and with the greater community. accepts letters to the editor, alumni notes Williamsport, PA 17701-5799 and other information from its readers, but fax 570.321.5537 reserves the right to edit or refuse items for publication. e-mail [email protected] had no idea where his career path might lead. Hess, who is from Berwick originally, heard about Penn College from a cousin, and he was immediately impressed with the College’s hands- on approach to education. He concedes that he arrived at his choice of a major in unconventional fashion. “I kind of threw my finger in a book and that (Broadcast Communications) is what I came up with,” he said. WSLS by Photos provided Before earning his Tim Hess has won Emmy Awards the past degree in May 1998, Hess two years. ‘Way of Life’ for Alumnus had to juggle his studies at a 24-hour commercial business. by Joseph S. Yoder, news bureau manager with a 35-hour-a-week job, A supervisor there told Hess, “You but he still found time to work at the don’t know how to run a camera.” College radio station as sports editor Eventually, he headed back to Myrtle and later in an on-the-air capacity. Beach, where he worked in a bar While at the College, he also picked that was a favorite of employees for a s chief photojournalist for a up some of the editing skills that serve local television station. Through that TV station in a competitive him so well today. connection, he got his first job in TV market, Tim Hess works in a pressure-laden environment Athat demands long, unconventional “ The best thing about this job is you get to do things and hours and a willingness to place personal considerations on hold when news breaks. see things that most people will never get to do or see.” He wouldn’t have it any other way. “The hands-on experience of photojournalism, despite having only “In the news business, it’s actually doing it represents the best one semester of video experience in not a job. It’s a way of life,” the of Penn College,” he said. “It’s what school. Pennsylvania College of Technology really sets Penn College apart.” “Contacts are a big deal in the alumnus said of the commitment After graduation, Hess had a news business,” he explained. “That’s required. “You’re on call 24-7, 365. brief foray in the radio business in all I wanted – the chance to get my You really are. It’s the business we’re Myrtle Beach, S.C., but didn’t enjoy foot in the door.” in. Your personal life is second every it much. He also tried a couple of Hess honed his skills quickly at day. It really is.” stints with a cable-advertising firm the station, WBTW-TV, shooting a Hess’ commitment, along with his in the Williamsport area and another variety of stories and logging many ample talent and the contributions of hours on the cameras and associated co-workers on the WSLS Newschannel equipment. He said it’s probably the 10 team in Roanoke, Va., have earned same at all small-market TV-news him Emmy Awards the past two years outlets. “It’s just constantly running,” from the Washington, D.C., chapter he said. “You don’t get your lunches.” of the National Academy of Television Hess was gaining valuable Arts and Sciences. experience, but the pay was not to Hess, 28, has made quick strides his liking, and he was ready for a in the TV-news business, but when he change. Again, networking led him entered Penn College in Fall 1995, he Hess on the job for WSLS. to an employment opportunity. While 2 One College Avenue covering the Daytona 500 for WBTW, “Our job is about as dangerous coordinating all the cameras that he met other TV crews, including as a police officer’s,” he said. “Our were needed. He is justifiably proud some employees of WSLS. When ‘weapon’ is our camera, and it’s the of the final product because of the a position became available at the only thing we have. I can tell you the potentially life-saving information it Roanoke station, Hess sent a tape of sniper (story) was the scariest thing imparted to viewers.