The TULah GetsHigh-teohEguiptment

By Randy King

Liberty's Television productionlab underwent afaceliftand make-over for the 1996-97school year.The lab changed most noticeably in size and quality of equipment and facilities. Thelab expanded from two rooms to six and drastically improved the quality of the equipment in the lab

Preceding the improvements, the lab was atbest outdated and, accordingto Dr. Steve Troxel, lab supervisor, many timesitwas evennonfunctional.

Dr. Troxelstated thatthe COM S departmenthad made the equipment "lastaslong aspossible."

The chief of engineering for Whitlock Corporation, the com- pany that installed the new lab atLiberty, said thatofthe many production facilities he has installedand worked on inthe region, Libertyhas "oneof the finest facilities in the state ofVirginia."

The extra room was greatly appreciated by both students and faculty Entire classes were ableto be inthelabsat the same time, something thatgreatlyenhanced the learning and teaching process.Dr. Troxel said that the facultywas verypleased and thatthestudentswere "thrilled" with the improvements.

The technological upgrades made were the purchasing and installationof two nonlineared- iting systems and HVHS video equipment. These improvements catapulted Liberty'sproduction lab to "Hi-tech"status. By working with thenew equipment, studentswillbebetterprepared tofacethe"realworld"in years to come. Currently, many television stations have not yet moved up to equipment of this calibre.

Dr. Troxel predicted that equipment similarto Liberty'sis the future of television production. By renovating the productionlabtothisdegree of superiority,LibertyUniversityhasprovided students that "edge" that is so necessary in the competitivefield of television.