VUSN.net feature story

“The Network” Launches the Communications Department and Vanguard University into the Future

By Nicole K. White

It’s innovative, bold, and refreshingly optimistic.

VUSN.net is a brand new online broadcast featuring the hard work of communications’ students in both the communication studies and cinema/digital media concentrations. Different from last year’s Sports Network, this year’s Vanguard University Student Network is taking traditional network programming to a whole new level. By creating a broadcast for students by students, The Network has created an idea of what an internet entertainment channel could look like, tying in everything from local and national news to VU sport highlights to links for popular sites to spotlights on Vanguard students and campus events.

Vanguard has never seen anything like The Network, and according to Professor Ann Cleveland, for most of the students involved, the idea of this online broadcast has been their first foray into a new media marketplace. The Network class has “been able to give students unprecedented exposure and opportunity for future employers,” Cleveland said. “The students have created their own shows, marketed strategies and understood the grassroots side of media.”
For Professor Cleveland, who worked at Sony Entertainment and whose foundation is in the birth of that new media marketplace, it has been an eye-opening and exciting experience to combine what she knows about making it and the class’s vision of creating it. The class has been a way for students to up their game. Instead of just making a project to simply fulfill an assignment, The Network is a medium of communication to show their work to friends, family, and most importantly future employers.

Most other schools are still teaching an “old-school” style of journalism. A real world workplace, however, dictates a much more rounded, all-encompassing and innovative approach. Those students equipped with the knowledge and experiences gained in a class such as The Network are far more ready for a job in the media world. Ideas started and birthed in classes like The Network are what will eventually become the products and media of the future.
With VUSN.net, students are taking those ideas and seeing, first hand, what they are able to achieve. The end result becomes much more than the fulfillment of a simple assignment. For Senior Carolyn Templin, creator and producer of a Network show highlighting different community events, this class has given her a unique opportunity. “It’s very hands on and allows us to take responsibility for the outcome of the project,” Templin said. “I think we all care more about this class than we would just writing papers.”

“Seeing what they are able to bring to the table,” Cleveland said, “makes each student the owner of their content. They are proud of their achievements and can take that knowledge and run with it.”

So far in this first semester, the The Network class has created a website, http://www.vusn.net/, and produced over 16 shows with each shows final episode due the first week in December. On November 1st the release party for The Network and VUSN.net was held in the cove and was a huge success for the class. Many members were added and in between rousing games of DDR and guitar hero, clips of the different shows were publicized. There are still big plans for The Network and next semester will see the increased growth of the website. Members are being added all the time and anyone can join by going to VUSN.net.

A Thought

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Do not go where the path my lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

As producer of "In Focus" this past semester, the stories of students that have caught my eye have indeed been those who have sought out their own paths, students who chose the road less traveled by. They are students with a passion to do the seemingly impossible, students dedicated to providing hope when before none existed, and most of all, students who never gave up forging their way into the unknown.

The students spotlighted this semester in my show have all been inspired to go the extra mile. They created paths where there were none, and now, the way has been opened for those who would follow. Some of these students have already been met with rousing success, while others' quiet faith is ever hopeful for the success of those they are serving. Krochet Kids, Shaun Blaylock and the Jeremiah Project, and Tom Riggs' 305 hit are just a few of the many examples out there. Their dedication and heart for their work is an inspiration.

VUSN.net feature story

“The Network” Launches the Communications Department and Vanguard University into the Future
By Nicole K. White

It’s innovative, bold, and refreshingly optimistic.

VUSN.net is a brand new online broadcast featuring the hard work of communications’ students in both the communication studies and cinema/digital media concentrations. Different from last year’s Sports Network, this year’s Vanguard University Student Network is taking traditional network programming to a whole new level. By creating a broadcast for students by students, The Network has created an idea of what an internet entertainment channel could look like, tying in everything from local and national news to VU sport highlights to links for popular sites to spotlights on Vanguard students and campus events.
Vanguard has never seen anything like The Network, and according to Professor Ann Cleveland, for most of the students involved, the idea of this online broadcast has been their first foray into a new media marketplace. The Network class has “been able to give students unprecedented exposure and opportunity for future employers,” Cleveland said. “The students have created their own shows, marketed strategies and understood the grassroots side of media.”
For Professor Cleveland, who worked at Sony Entertainment and whose foundation is in the birth of that new media marketplace, it has been an eye-opening and exciting experience to combine what she knows about making it and the class’s vision of creating it. The class has been a way for students to up their game. Instead of just making a project to simply fulfill an assignment, The Network is a medium of communication to show their work to friends, family, and most importantly future employers.
Most other schools are still teaching an “old-school” style of journalism. A real world workplace, however, dictates a much more rounded, all-encompassing and innovative approach. Those students equipped with the knowledge and experiences gained in a class such as The Network are far more ready for a job in the media world. Ideas started and birthed in classes like The Network are what will eventually become the products and media of the future.
With VUSN.net, students are taking those ideas and seeing, first hand, what they are able to achieve. The end result becomes much more than the fulfillment of a simple assignment. For Senior Carolyn Templin, creator and producer of a Network show highlighting different community events, this class has given her a unique opportunity. “It’s very hands on and allows us to take responsibility for the outcome of the project,” Templin said. “I think we all care more about this class than we would just writing papers.”
“Seeing what they are able to bring to the table,” Cleveland said, “makes each student the owner of their content. They are proud of their achievements and can take that knowledge and run with it.”

So far in this first semester, the The Network class has created a website, www.VUSN.net, and produced over 16 shows with each shows final episode due the first week in December. On November 1st the release party for The Network and VUSN.net was held in the cove and was a huge success for the class. Many members were added and in between rousing games of DDR and guitar hero, clips of the different shows were publicized. There are still big plans for The Network and next semester will see the increased growth of the website. Members are being added all the time and anyone can join by going to VUSN.net.

In Focus: Shaun Blaylock

Shaun Blaylock is an outspoken advocate of underprivileged children in Orange County and around the country. Check out the latest episode of In Focus to hear more of his story.