October 22, 2004

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University dedicated its state-of-the-art Mass Media and Technology Hall on Friday morning.

The $18.5 million building, which opened last fall, is home to WKU's nationally recognized School of Journalism and Broadcasting and the University's Division of Information Technology.

"This is the first time in my entire life that I have been on a campus and faculty and students aren't complaining about facilities and equipment," said Dr. Pam Johnson, director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting.

"It's not the building, it's not the equipment and it's not the state of the art classrooms that make for a great program," she said. "It's great administrators, great faculty, great staff and good students that can create a program that we strive to be, a great program of distinction."

Western's School of Journalism and Broadcasting has ranked in the top four nationally in the past six years in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program, including two first-place finishes.

The three-story facility includes a 275-seat multimedia auditorium, a 125-seat computer lab, network operations center, faculty and staff offices, interactive TV classrooms, computer classrooms, training rooms, photo studio, photo gallery and regents room.

"We want this facility to be a focal point for the use of cutting-edge technology in all facets of teaching and learning," said Dave Beckley, director of Network Computing and Communications.

Mass Media and Technology Hall was the first academic facility built on Western's campus since the Environmental Science and Technology Building in the 1970s. A new science and engineering building will open later this year.

"We are in a mode of progress at Western these days," President Gary Ransdell said. "I'm very pleased that this sets the pace for what we'll be doing over the next several years on this campus."

Dr. Ransdell thanked the General Assembly for providing the funding in 1998 to construct the facility.

House Speaker Jody Richards, a former journalism faculty member at WKU, said he was proud of the national recognition the program has received in recent years.

"A new building is about hope and opportunity for those young people who study there," Richards said. "In this place a young person can be transformed from a student fresh out of college to an aspiring and accomplished journalist. That's what the great teachers in this wonderful venue will be able to accomplish. Those people who dream of writing the big story or reporting the big event will study here. They will learn here. And they will go out and achieve. This day is about dreams, about dreams fulfilled and about dreams for the future."

Whether they're interested in computing, information technology, broadcasting or journalism, Western students will be better prepared for their careers thanks to the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, said Patti Johnson, Student Government Association president.

Western is the university of choice for more than 18,000 students because of the educational opportunities available to us and a campus environment that we enjoy," she said. "Today we celebrate the enhancement of those academic and life experiences for Western students."

The dedication also included the recognition of faculty, alumni, private individuals and corporations have made a significant impact on the journalism and broadcasting programs. In honor of their service and contributions, rooms within the building will bear their names.

Those recognized for their legacy of service and support included:

Robert R. Adams, a former Herald editor who has served as the paper's adviser since 1968 and has been the director of Student Publications since 1987.

Jo-Ann Albers, who served as head of the journalism department from 1987-99 then director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting from 1999-2003.

Charles M. Anderson, a retired vice president for Information Technology who was also a driving force behind public radio and television at WKU.

Neil Budde and Virginia B. Edwards. Budde is a former editor of the College Heights Herald, founding editor of the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition and founder of the Neil Budde Group. Edwards, Budde’s wife, is editor of Education Week.

Landmark Community Newspapers Inc., a Shelbyville-based company which has a longtime relationship with WKU's journalism program.

Cornelius Martin, chair of WKU's Board of Regents and a supporter of many WKU programs.

Cathy J. and Alan W. Palmer, WKU alumni. Alan Palmer's career includes work in Bowling Green television and radio.

Frances Richards, the first editor of the College Heights Herald in 1925 and later served as an English professor and Herald adviser.

Joe and Ann Rose Richards, WKU alumni who are retired Simpson County educators. (Joe Richards is the nephew of Frances Richards.)

David B. Whitaker, the head of the journalism department from its inception in 1977 until his retirement in 1987 and director of Student Publications from 1970-87.

Julian Goodman, a Glasgow native and WKU alumnus who is a former chairman of the board and president of NBC.

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