Black Collegian News & Views

The purpose of the grant is to move the department into the digital age by enhancing the facility’s production capabilities, according to Arnold Crump, assistant professor of communication. Enhanced production capabilities will include the move from linear editing to nonlinear, the acquisition of state of-the-art cameras, microphones and other behind the scene equipment that are needed to produce a higher quality product. “The students in the department will have a better opportunity to produce those products that can compete for nation-wide recognition with this new equipment,” said Lisa Hebert, instructor of communications.

“I know that we have a great class of students who now have the opportunity to show their skill,” said Crump.

The grant, which took one year to finalize, was the collaborative effort of Arnold Crump, Madeline Price, Lisa Hebert, Vera Walker, Fred Bales and Chris Campbell, all past and present faculty members in the department. Results from the grant will be visible as early as November, but acquisition of all equipment will be completed sometime in the spring semester.

The grant has also opened opportunities for paid employment positions, as the money will finance an estimated seven new jobs per semester in the department.

Crump said the jobs that students will perform are vital ones because they will provide the foundation with equipment knowledge within the department. “We will be able to train certain kids on the new equipment who then will turn around and relay the same information to other students.”

The consensus within the department is that this grant not only increases the production capabilities of the department, but also it will be invaluable for training students to enter the workforce.

Tamu Moore, a graduating senior from Washington, D.C., noted that the grant gives students a chance to gain experience using the new equipment without ever having to leave Xavier. “We also feel better about our department now that we can compete with the other schools in the area,” said Moore. “We always knew that we were good but now everyone else will know as well.”

Hebert expressed her excitement not only for the department but also for the opportunities that it will bring for the students. “I think that the grant will allow faculty to train students on state of the art equipment, therefore supplying them with the necessary skills needed to enter the competitive job market, which has already gone digital.”

The grant itself also offers further opportunities for the department to receive money in the future from other sources. “Once people see that we have something special here and are getting things done, then they will be more willing to join in,” Crump said.

Crump pointed out that people are already beginning to take notice of the growth and maturity of the department. According to Crump, an outside evaluator for the Board of Regents stated that the grant was well written and that he fully supported the full funding requested by the department.