Towson University’s Outreach Blog

Lindsey

Each semester, Dr. David Reiss teaches an Electronic Media & Film Course entitled: “Non-Profit Corporate HD Video”. Within the course, students create a 5-7 minute video to benefit a local non-profit organization.  This gives the students firsthand experience at making an effective public relations tool for a worthy cause. The experience captures what a service learning course is all about: learning that benefits students and work that benefits the community.

But what happens to the videos at the end of the semester? I recently had the chance to find out by interviewing Joan Schramm who works as the Publicity Coordinator for MD/DC and Newsletter Editor for the Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League.

Tell me a little about the Mid Atlantic Great Dance Rescue League.

“The [Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League] is an organization for Great Danes located in nine states. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for abandoned great danes throughout the region.”

How did the organization get connected with Dr. Reiss’ EMF class?

“I saw a notice on Craigslist that this class was looking for local nonprofit organizations to do a video about, so I contacted them. They were very excited about it.”

What role did your staff play in developing video content?

“I was in the video. We had several people in the video. Towson students came out to meet and greet at PetSmart and went to a few people’s houses.”

How have you used the video to benefit your organization?

“We have the video on our website and it’s also on Youtube. We have made copies for the Coordinators in different regions to show at events. “

What are your thoughts on working with Towson University students?

“They were absolutely wonderful!”

Additional comments:

“We were really pleased at how the video came out and all the different areas that they were able to cover. They talked to a Board member, they talked to and filmed one of our foster homes…they talked to the people at the meet and greet and showed their dogs. They did a nice all-around perspective of everything that we do. It was nice that, even though everything was local, the video is not geographically specific so we can use it anywhere.”

As evident from Joan Schramm’s testimony, service-learning courses are mutually beneficial and a great experience for everyone involved. Check out the TU in the Community database for a listing of service-learning courses.

Student produced video for the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

This entry was posted on Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 1:45 pm and is filed under Community Outreach, News, Students, TU Faculty & Staff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.