Students compete and network at National Religious Broadcasting Convention
Posted by The Skyliner on February 18th, 2009Leasy Sandal
Staff Writer
Mass Communication students and staff take the opportunity to network and receive recognition for their accomplishments at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention (Photo Credit: Shur Gopal)
Last week, Feb. 5 to 11, 26 North Greenville students traveled to Nashville, Tenn. to attend the National Religious Broadcasters convention.
The convention provided students with workshops and education on various media techniques and suggestions. The speakers at the convention shared practical experience and guidance to the college students preparing for lifelong careers.
“NRB is the preeminent association of Christian communicators working to keep the doors of electronic media open for the spread of the Gospel,” NRB.com states. “NRB promotes standards of excellence, integrity and accountability. NRB provides networking, educational, ministry and fellowship opportunities.”
The popularity of NRB is evident; students benefit from the convention and return to school with a renewed sense of excitement for their major. Students have the ability to compete with other students based on their media productions.
Scholarship opportunities are another enticing benefit of NRB. Students are able to meet sponsors and staff which will provide networking for their careers in the future.
Brad Cole, senior broadcast media, attended NRB for his second year in a row. Last year he registered with NRB to be a volunteer at the convention. Cole accepted the challenge of helping with registration, learning all the new techniques and producing a five minute film in three days. His hard work definitely paid off in the end.
“I was ecstatic that we won and that our film would be shown to the thousands of people at the closing event. The event was breathtaking and surreal,” Cole said.
Cole returned to NRB this year with one purpose in mind—to win again. Despite the fact that this year’s challenge was shorter and he did not work with registration, Cole was exhausted by the end of the trip. He was working hard with his team to produce the winning film. Although the team brought home the second place award, Cole is thankful for the time they could spend together. Carmen Miller, Doug Kahl and Mike Oostdyk were Cole’s team members in the 36DV Film challenge. Cole also brought home second place with a solo project in the TV commercials category.
The students from NGU received nine awards altogether, including one exciting first place.
“This year I was blessed to win first place in the TV Studio Production category along with Chris Timmons, who has done an amazing job leading the productions, and Brian Alexander, who was really stepped up greatly into the graphics role in mass communications,” Cole said.
Kevin McCreary brought home four awards, two second place awards and two third place awards, for various radio productions. Oostdyk won second place with a TV promo at the convention.
Dr. Linwood Hagin, mass communications department head, is a proud member of the intercollegiate NRB Committee. He has assisted other institutions and committees in planning NRB for the past several years. NGU has been attending the convention every year since 2000. Every year offers new challenges, experiences and rewards.
“Students are able to network with professionals in the Christian media,” Hagin said. “Some of our students have obtained their post-NGU employment directly through a contact from NRB, such as Kimberly Robinson, ‘04, now financial account manager with Cooke Pictures of Burbank, Calif. and Carl Barnhill, ‘06, video production manager at Precept Ministries International in Chattanooga, Tenn.”
NRB is dedicated to promote the gospel by advancing Christian communications. The convention does not only surround the world of film. It offers web design, journalism, business, accounting, public relations and more. Those involved with NRB have a sincere desire to enable students to reach their future career goals.
“I would definitely encourage students to go to NRB because of the encouraging atmosphere of thousands of believers working in the media world,” Cole said. “You never know whom you may meet that could help open a door for your future.”
NRB 2010 sign ups will open in September. Anyone is welcome to attend, especially students with a major in the mass communications department.
Tags: Spring 2009, Vol. 108 - Issue 4