Central Michigan University

Fact sheet: Caponigro Multimedia Lab

About the lab:

• The computers: 18 student workstations featuring Apple Mac Pro towers with 23-inch, flat-panel Apple Cinema HD displays
• For faculty: A centralized workstation containing a projector, a document imaging system and other mediated classroom features
• Additional equipment: Videoconferencing tools, along with camcorders, digital cameras and audio recording equipment
• Lab designer: SmithGroup Detroit

About journalism at CMU:

• CMU has one of only two accredited journalism programs in the state.
• On Sept. 9, CMU's Academic Senate approved two new journalism majors: new media/online journalism and photojournalism.  Students can also major in journalism with a concentration on advertising, news editorial or public relations.
• Many journalism students work for Central Michigan Life, the independent, thrice-weekly student newspaper at CMU.  CM Life was recently named one of 48 finalists for the 2007-08 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award and has been a finalist for six of the past seven years.
• The journalism department is home to CMU's newest student media outlet, Grand Central Magazine, a Web-based publication.  Grand Central received 10th place in the inaugural Hearst Intercollegiate Multimedia Competition in the spring.

About the College of Communication and Fine Arts:

• In addition to the journalism department, the college houses the department of communication and dramatic arts, which includes a communication area and a theatre, interpretation and dance area; the department of art; the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts; and the School of Music.  CMU's interdisciplinary programs in integrative public relations; music theatre; and media design, production and technology also are CCFA initiatives.
• The college reaches out to the community through such cultural events as the Michigan Story Festival, the Central Michigan International Film Festival, the Opus gala and theatrical productions.
• CCFA is home to two broadcast media outlets that provide hands-on experience for students: WMHW-FM 91.5 and MHTV television.  MHTV has been the Michigan Association of Broadcasters College Station of the Year for seven consecutive years.
• CCFA offers the Lem Tucker Journalism Scholarship, a four-year, full-tuition award with supplementary awards to cover room and board expenses; it is awarded annually to a high school journalist who demonstrates leadership, journalistic skills and a commitment to promoting minority excellence in the media.  The 2009 scholarship application is available online at http://www.ccfa.cmich.edu/ltucker and is due Nov. 30.
• CCFA is CMU's most ethnically diverse college, with 10.5 percent of its undergraduate students listing an ethnicity other than white or "unknown."  (Does not include international students).

For additional news from Central Michigan University visit its online newsroom at http://www.news.cmich.edu.

Contact: Steve Smith, 989-774-3197, smith1sf@cmich.edu