MELISSA GIAIMO
News Assistant
While flipping channels during the nightly news, students may spot Pepperdine faculty members more frequently on airwaves.
With the completion of its very own Live Feed Broadcast Studio, Pepperdine joined other top universities such as New York University and Stanford. Pepperdine’s new studio is located on the first floor of the CCB in the 149/150 rooms adjacent to the Graphic newsroom.
The broadcast studio “makes possible the availability of Pepperdine faculty experts to be connected with journalists around the world live… whether it’s a reporter from Los Angeles or a reporter from New York,” said director of public relations and news Jerry Derloshon.
In addition, Pepperdine hopes “to expand [its] name recognition in local, national, and international market through mass communications via the news media,” said executive director University communications Matt Midura. Construction of the studio began the spring semester and ended this July.
Since July, faculty have used the studio extensively. Caruso Family Chair Professor Professor Doug Kmiec of the School of Law has already appeared on “Special Report with Brit Hume” on FOX News Channel, “All Things Considered on NPR,” and “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” on PBS. Dean Ken Starr has appeared on “Power Lunch” on CNBC. The studio has also sent interviews to CNN, PBS and NBC.
“It is certainly extraordinarily convenient,” Starr said. “Instead of driving into Los Angeles … we are right here at home.” Due to Pepperdine’s location, having a studio on campus benefits news stations, so faculty are more likely to be tapped for commentary. “Stations in Los Angeles had to invest whatever resources they had to get a crew and truck out to Malibu … or send a car to transport professors,” Derloshon said.
“Not only was this inconvenient, but it has led to many missed opportunities as we could not participate in many requests… This has completely changed with the new studio,” Midura said.
“Without the studio, faculty commentators often had to invest three hours in a fifteen-minute interview forcing them to decline many interviews, said Derloshon.
The sound-proof fiber optic studio, approximately 12 by 23 feet, is equipped with a camera, lighting equipment, monitors to control audio and video effects and even a portable makeup kit. This equipment supports live digital television broadcasts, ISDN based radio broadcasts, packaged media press kits (television, radio, podcasts, etc.) and University productions. Derloshon said he did not know the cost of the studio and could not release cost if he did know. Director, Web and multimedia services, university communications Ed Wheeler and Midura declined to comment on the cost of the studio.
Interviewees sit at a desk in front of a backdrop depicting an aerial view of Pepperdine. The interviewees wear a microphone in their ear to hear the journalists’ questions while an engineer in the studio communicates with news stations to ensure successful transmission of the interview.
Pepperdine’s Construction and Campus Planning, Information Technology, University Communications and Public Relations and News are responsible for the building and managing of the studio. Construction and Campus Planning designed and built the sound proof studio. University Communications provides the technical support. Public Relations and News handles media bookings and manages the studio on a daily basis. President Andrew K. Benton, Starr, and Kmiec provided faculty support for the project, according to Derloshon. Alumnus Adam Housley, a reporter of national stature working for News World at FOX News Channel, was also a strong advocate of the project. Housley counseled the University on how to set up and promote the studio. He also expressed Pepperdine’s need for a broadcast studio to President Benton.
Pepperdine administrators consider the broadcast studio an invaluable asset because it helps publicize the University. “It is wonderful for the entire institution,” Starr said.
“[The studio] not only gives faculty the opportunity to shine … but it is also a great projection of our amiable location in Malibu,” Derloshon said.
“We feel that the studio has already been successful in promoting the image of Pepperdine University as media commentators have already complimented the university on its beauty during telecasts” Wheeler said.
Derloshon said they aim to host 40 to 50 interviews this school year from the studio and to double that number next year.
As the Supreme Court begins session in October, Starr will likely be a frequent commentator on the news from the studio. In particular, Starr expects to comment on “Juneau School Board; Deborah Morse v. Joseph Frederick,” a case he filed before the Supreme Court Monday, August 28. In the case, Starr defends a public high school’s decision to discipline a student who expressed pro-illegal drug sentiments at an off-campus school event. On 9-11, Deanna Burnett, wife of United Airlines Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett, is also scheduled to be interviewed from the studio. She plans to reflect upon the last five years after the death of her husband, Derloshon said.
Public Relations and News is also eager to showcase its students in the studio. Derloshon encourages “Pepperdine students who feel like there’s something newsworthy to contact Public Relations and News so that the office can try to schedule an interview.
09-07-2006
