3 minute read
Dean's Letter
Doing It All
It’s hard to believe that our Fall 2024 semester is already here! As you will see, the College of Media and Entertainment has been a whirlwind of activity by our faculty, staff, and students.
We celebrated the 50th anniversaries of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and the Department of Recording Industry, as well as the 10th anniversary of our partnership with the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. This fall will mark the 500th production of our mobile production truck that has broadcast and/or livestreamed sports, concerts, and other events since 2011.
This year’s student experiences with Bonnaroo were the largest and most comprehensive in our history. We filmed about a third of Bonnaroo’s 150+ concerts this summer, and our students were responsible for streaming half of the 46 Bonnaroo shows aired on Hulu. Our Audio Production students mixed the sound for these broadcasts.
Matthew Leimkuehler’s Journalism class and our Photography students had their Bonnaroo stories published by the USA Today Network and appeared in newspapers statewide. Two stories by Sidelines made the daily Bonnaroo national press briefing, alongside outlets like USA Today and Rolling Stone.
One Video and Film Production student said, “This experience might have been one of the most educational and eye-opening opportunities I could ask for. One of the most valuable skills and lessons that came from this was being prepared for how to adapt on the fly and how quickly things can change while on the job.”
Our cover story features the life-changing success of the student-created college commercial called “We Do It All,” which won a Nashville/MidSouth Emmy and three prestigious Telly Awards. During Emmy night, one of the students told me, “This is the best night of my life!”
We’ve launched animation and advertising agencies to provide our students with hands-on experience with real-world clients that can boost their résumés and portfolios. I am delighted that other universities are approaching our college about enlisting our students to enhance their reputations. (You didn’t hear it from me, but one of our first clients was longtime rival Tennessee Tech!)
Americana radio station WMOT, a National Public Radio member housed within the college, has been lauded for its success during a time when other public radio stations are suffering. It embarks on a new chapter with the recent addition of a new satellite studio in Nashville, which will allow more in-person interviews with both local and touring roots music artists.
As you can see, it’s an exciting time in the College of Media and Entertainment, and the best is yet to come.
Thanks for taking the time to read M&E. I would love to hear from you. Please drop me a note at beverly.keel@mtsu.edu to let me know what and how you’re doing so I can share it with your fellow alumni.
