It had to be one of those mild spring days where you’d rather be outside than couped up inside a building. As the IABC Houston board members arrived at the University of Houston campus last week, I couldn’t help but remember those days on campus when spring fever would get the best of me and I’d either be sitting under a tree or in the bleachers at a Cougar baseball game–anywhere but class!
Board members paid a visit to the UH School of Communication, recently renamed in honor of Jack J. Valenti, one of our most famous and dedicated alumni. He’s best known for his role as the president of the Motion Picture Association of America, which he held for 38 years. Thanks to Dr. Beth Olson, director of the Valenti School of Communication, and Kim Howard, director of development for arranging the tour and pleasant lunch. Thanks to the following board members for attending: Tracy Torma, Helen Fischer, ABC, Joi Lecznar, Steve Parker (UH alum), Merrisa Turner (photographer for the day), Nancy Trowbridge, Laura Wilson, Mike Emery, our faculty liaison with the UH Chapter, and David Gonzalez, UH Chapter president.
I asked fellow board members to take a tour of the facility with an eye towards how IABC Houston could support its programs and students. What we found was cramped classrooms and office space. They had once been adequate, shiny and new when the facility opened in 1980 when I began my senior year. The television production studio back then was impressive. Today, it’s sad, reminiscent of a small town television station that keeps things running with chicken wire and duct tape.
One bright spot of the tour was the Communication Technology Center outfitted with Apple computers and multimedia equipment. Of course, it too could use more room and updated equipment, especially since the UH CTC was recently selected as an Apple Authorized Training Center. To learn more about Mr. Valenti and the Valenti School of Communication visit the Web site.
Within a year of renaming the school in Mr. Valenti’s honor, $3 million has been raised for new facilities and student support. Groundbreaking is targeted to start by the end of this year to begin work on a beautiful building that will house new production studios, technology labs and more classrooms. The look will match the talent and energy that come from the 1,600 students in the college.
Board members Helen Fischer, ABC, (center), Tracy Torma (right) and me (seated), along with Kim Howard, director of development for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Mike Emery, our faculty liaison with UH student chapter, pose in front of the drawings for the Valenti School of Communication. Groundbreaking is anticipated by the end of this year.
So where does IABC Houston fit in? We have already started by supporting an active IABC UH Chapter. The students will have an opportunity to meet with IABC International Chair Barbara Gibson, ABC, separate from her presentation at our monthly luncheon on March 26. Our Bronze Quill keynote speaker, David Henderson, former CBS newsman, author and social media strategist, is also looking forward to meeting with students separate from his gala appearance on April 30. These are great opportunities that IABC can offer.
Our board also plans to sponsor a table at the school’s annual scholarship luncheon on April 13. Proceeds from the event benefit UH communication students through scholarship support. Let me know through this post or email me at theresa@torma.com if you’d like more information on attending this special event. As for future support, the board is exploring scholarship support of its own either through annual operations scholarships or through an endowment. And wouldn’t it be great if IABC Houston could sponsor a lecture series to attract high-caliber speakers to not only inspire the students but our professional members as well?!?!?
It’s an exciting time to be a UH School of Communication alum. Just think how great it will be for future students to be graduates of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication!
