VIU Media Studies hosts Showcase and Social on April 25

The Showcase and Social is also being live streamed from the Rogers TV studio.

 Join Vancouver Island University (VIU) Media Studies students and faculty on Thursday, April 25 from 4 to 7 pm at Shaw, 4316 Boban Drive in Nanaimo, for a year-end presentation of projects and recognition of graduates. 

At 5 pm, video production students from the Digital Media course 281 will coordinate a live stream of the event from the Rogers TV studio featuring videos, websites, games, podcasts and media analysis on a variety of topics to highlight these for guests and curious attendees. Later, people can visit displays to meet students, ask questions or review projects in this interactive open-house event. Refreshments will be served and parking is available in the adjacent lot. 

“As a teacher, one of my favourite things to do is bring the community into the classroom to see how the ‘real’ world can inform and inspire the academic world. At the Showcase and Social, we get to bring our ideas back to the community. For many years we have had a collaborative relationship with the video specialists at Rogers TV and it’s exciting to produce our year-end celebration in their studio,” said Robin Davies, VIU Media Studies Chair.

Presentations by students from all four years of the program speak to their passion for digital storytelling, creative expression, research and making media by combining text, audio, video and analysis on a diverse range of subjects. The department, now 19 years old, is founded on the principle that theory and practice go hand in hand, so students understand both the technical requirements of the media they are making and its role in the broader social context. 

“My third-year Making the News class is unveiling Bright magazine: ‘News that Enlightens, Uplifts, and Inspires,’ a good news online magazine that showcases feel-good stories of progress and community. These articles remind us we can and do make a difference when solving problems that seem overwhelming,” said Media Studies Professor Joy Gugeler.

The showcase is designed to encourage students to network with potential employers, share their work and approach professionals by jump-starting this process and facilitating conversations between the department and its contacts in the field. The showcase is designed to put industry experts and new talent together in a supportive and casual environment. This is particularly valuable for graduates of the program about to embark on the first job of their careers.

“Each year I look forward to this event to draw attention to the students’ exciting, stimulating and critical works and to honour our graduating students. One of VIU’s strengths is its small class sizes so faculty get to know the students well and it’s a pleasure to acknowledge their success as they transition from our program,” said Media Studies Professor Debra Pentecost. 

For more information contact Media Studies Chair Robin Davies at Robin.Davies@viu.ca.

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Media Contact:

Rachel Stern, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

C: 250.618.0373 l E: Rachel.Stern@viu.ca | X: @VIUNews

The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.