More than 20 broadcasting students from Middletown High School got a hands-on look at how radio and television programs are made at the Mount Saint Mary College campus earlier this month.
After an introduction to the college by George Abaunza, vice president of academic affairs, the Middletown students enjoyed a tour of the Mount’s TV studio led by Digital Media Production Professor Merle Becker.
Later, the Mount Digital Media Production students who produce the comedic video series Last Friday Knight held a question and answer session where the high schoolers learned more about the process of creating a TV show. The Last Friday Night team consists of Emily Araujo of Stanhope, N.J.; Mike Fallanca of Port Chester, N.Y.; Katie Hogg of Rockaway Park, N.Y.; and Josh Zirkel of Lindenhurst, N.Y.
The Middletown students also enjoyed a visit to the Mount’s Knight Radio station, led by Mount senior Emily Gursky of Oakville, Conn. Gursky coproduces the show A Little About a Lot, which the college broadcasts regularly on Knight Radio. To listen to Knight Radio, visit www.msmc.edu/KnightRadio.
The visit was a part of the Mount Saint Mary College Knight Program. Through this program, students at local high schools are given the opportunity to earn college credits for courses regularly offered on the Mount campus. These courses are taught onsite at their own schools and by their instructors. Students are registered as non-matriculated Mount students. Mount faculty and administration certify the high school faculty as having appropriate qualifications and credentials to teach Mount courses.
“The Knight Program allows us to build programming and pathways that may eventually lead these students to major in our programs,” explained Abaunza. “It’s designed to build relationships with our high school partners by exposing their students to the Mount, its offerings, and resources.”
High schools in Goshen, Middletown, Newburgh, and Warwick Valley have partnered with the Knights Program. The Mount is looking to expand participation in the coming months.
The Mount’s Communication and Digital Media (CADM) programs encompass the study of advertising and public relations, digital media production, graphic design, and journalism. CADM also offers minors in each of these disciplines, as well as in art and film studies. Housed in the Mount‘s Division of Arts and Letters, CADM programs prepare students for both traditional and emerging professions. CADM is overseen by Christopher Neyen, professor of Graphic Design at the Mount.
For more information, visit www.msmc.edu.