By Ariel C. Emberton, staff writer/photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University's mass communication center will open in January with room for mass communication and broadcast services to operate under one roof.
Campbellsville University's administration, along with faculty and staff from the mass communication department, broadcast services and the office of university communications, took part in a walk-through of the new Mass Communication Center Dec. 1.
“In many respects, this facility ushers in a remarkable period for our current and potential mass communication students. The facilities are designed to meet and exceed the professional standards in the most modern journalism and broadcast companies in America. This building reflects the dedication to professionalism that is found in our mass communication faculty and staff. It is the vortex for innovation in media,” Dr. H. Keith Spears, senior vice president and assistant to the president, said.
“Having all mass communication offices, broadcast facilities, classrooms and computer labs under one roof has long been my dream,” Stan McKinney, associate professor of journalism and lead professor for mass communication, said.
Jeannie Clark, general manager at WLCU-TV/FM, assistant professor of broadcasting and director of broadcast services, said, “I simply cannot tell you how excited I am to finally get to share with everyone our next mass communication center.
“I am looking forward to finally being able to work in the same building as my academic colleagues in the mass communication area as well as provide a state-of-the-art facility for students where they are able to learn and practice the skills they will need once they enter the workforce post-graduation.”
Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Campbellsville University, said, “Students at CU will now have access to communication and broadcast technology that is not available to many other programs in Kentucky. Such experiences with this new facility, faculty and technology will prepare students to function immediately in the communication field, increasing opportunities for employment and professional exposure.”
Within the last couple years, the old Caulk Hardware building on Meader Street in Campbellsville was purchased, and construction has since been underway to convert it into the new mass communication center. The building will be made up of two floors covering 16,000 square feet.
The building's upper level will feature an elevator with academic offices, TV and broadcast studios, a recording studio, conference rooms and a reception area. The lower level will be comprised of five classrooms with moveable walls, two computer labs and the Campus Times, the campus newspaper's office.
“The Campus Times office will have space for a dozen or more students to work at one time,” McKinney, who is also adviser to the paper, said. “We also have lots of storage space to keep older issues of the paper.
“I am excited about the move. The building is very modern and will provide us all the facilities we need as our program moves forward,” McKinney said.
Clark said, “The staff at broadcast services will also be able to work in a professional environment where their expertise can take the university and the mass communication program to new levels.”
The mass communication center is expected to be completed by the spring 2021 semester with classes starting there in January.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.