October 15, 2008
Marshall University receives $800,000 from State of WV to help fund mandated conversion from analog to digital TV standards


Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications has received a major grant from the State of West Virginia to help fund the conversion of its TV studio from analog to digital TV standards, as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The announcement of the $800,000 grant was made during a news conference today on MU’s Huntington campus.

At the request of Sen. Robert Plymale, chair of the Senate Education Committee, the West Virginia Legislature appropriated the money during the June 2008 special session for the School of Journalism’s digital conversion. By February 2009, all full-power television stations must convert from analog to digital.

“It will improve production quality and techniques for the School and the University and enhance the educational experience of the students participating in TV production classes,” Dr. Corley Dennison, dean of the School of Journalism, said of the conversion to digital.

The grant was announced in Studio A in the Communications Building. In addition to Plymale and Dennison, participants in the news conference were Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp and Kay H. Goodwin, West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts. West Virginia Public Broadcasting is an agency of the Department of Education and the Arts, which served as a conduit in transferring the funds to Marshall.

“This allocation is very important as we continue the ongoing effort to upgrade the facilities for future Marshall students as they pursue careers in broadcast journalism, much like (CNN correspondent) Joe Johns was able to do,” Plymale said. “I’m certainly glad that Governor Manchin and the legislative leadership recognize that.”

Dennison said the funding to upgrade Studio A will enable journalism and mass communications students to work in digital high definition productions that will be the same technology the students will encounter in the marketplace.

“This allocation is really workforce development as students are able to work in the same TV format they will face in the commercial marketplace,” Dennison said. “The students, faculty and staff of the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications are very appreciative of the efforts of Senator Plymale, the Legislature, Governor Manchin and all involved in making this technology available to us.

“With the FCC mandate forcing all TV to go digital in February of 2009, it was essential that the School and the University stay current with industry trends,” Dennison said.

Goodwin praised Plymale for his efforts in securing the funds for Marshall.

“This venture is a wonderful example of Senator Robert Plymale’s special ability to recognize projects that will be beneficial to West Virginia’s college students as we strive to provide new opportunities and keep our graduates in West Virginia,” she said.