28 Aug NDSU Student Media Center to be unveiled
The grand opening of the new NDSU Student Media Center is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Butte Lounge.
A presentation is set for 12:30 p.m., featuring remarks by Interim Provost Ken Grafton; David Bertolini, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; and Stephenson Beck, chair of the communication department.
Refreshments and tours will be provided.
“We want people to see our new facilities,” Beck said. “They can sit behind the anchor desk or feel what it’s like to be a meteorologist in front of a green screen. We want people to see the really top-notch media center we have.”
The new facility will house the Bison Information Network, KNDS Radio and The Spectrum student newspaper. For the first time, all three student-run entities will be in one location, which will promote cooperation and collaboration between the organizations.
“By bringing the media organizations together, students can experience that live, convergent nature of today’s media. Students have to think in terms of video, audio and written word together,” Beck said, noting graduating seniors should be ready to move into the workplace after working in this environment. “They’ll have experience in all three channels and have a more holistic perspective on where we are media-wise in the world today. They’ll say, ‘I can do this.’ ”
The center’s location on the second floor of the Memorial Union is also seen as a benefit.
“All three student media organizations are now right in the heart of student life,” Beck said. “People can walk by, look in the windows and watch the broadcasts live or talk to newspaper editors directly, if they like. The Student Media Center will be a more central and essential part of student life.”
The new space is 1,929 square feet and is located adjacent to the existing Spectrum offices.
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