PRESS RELEASE
Point Loma Nazarene University
Contact: Kalyn McMackin (760) 685-3312
Point TV: Channel 23 Public Relations Manager.
Advisor: Alan Hueth (619) 849-2358
Date: October 22, 2012
Written by: Kalyn McMackin
Communication Seniors Continue High Ratings by Media Professionals
For the past seven years, graduating seniors in both the media communication and broadcast journalism majors have put their work to the ultimate test by submitting their best projects to media professionals to be judged and assessed. Each year, these brave individuals have exceeded expectations and continue to impress even the toughest of critics.
Alan Hueth, professor of Communication, hosts an annual “assessment luncheon” where he brings in three to five San Diego-based TV/film professionals who have experience in writing, producing, production, and festival judging in TV/film programs in advertising, documentary, feature films, corporate media, news, public affairs, and other programming. Past judges’ cumulative production experience in TV/film has ranged from 30-60 years of professional experience, and they give the students’ projects a close look.
“They [students] give me their best work and then the judges watch these and they evaluate everything,” said Hueth. “From the script writing, production aspects like lighting, sound, graphics and other areas that the student worked on for each project.”
The judges are responsible for assessing the work based on a four point scale with four equaling outstanding, three at above average, two at average and one at poor.
“The base line question is at what level is this ‘entry level employee performance,’” said Hueth. “I’ve been doing this now for seven years and every year our students have consistently-rated above average entry-level performance in just about all categories.”
Additionally, Clark Greer, professor of Communication, said that an opportunity like this doesn’t just benefit the students, but the professors as well.
“Professionals provide critiques from a current news perspective,” said Greer. “Their evaluation scores and comments give us an indication of what aspects of news stories need to be addressed when we teach TV news classes.”
Hueth also said that these assessments have value beyond just the evaluation findings. “We look at these findings and, often, make adjustments to our curriculum and assignments. We’re trying to continually improve our courses and our system to challenge our students and help them to do better work each year,” Hueth said.
To learn more, contact Alan Hueth at AlanHueth@pointloma.edu.
