Four Washtenaw Community College Digital Media Arts (DMA) students walked away with first place honors at last month’s Michigan Regional Student Production Awards ceremony sponsored by the Michigan chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a tie for the most awarded to a single college or university.
“We have been the only two-year institution competing against four-year colleges,” said Matt Zacharias, WCC DMA faculty member. “To tie for the most wins speaks volumes about our students and the program at WCC.” The DMA program, spearheaded by Dan Kier, was founded in 2001 with an active approach towards learning. Kier, a former University of Michigan faculty member, has never waivered in his desire to create and craft an award-winning department.
“People wondered why I wanted to leave U-M to come to WCC,” Kier said. “I knew if we developed a curriculum where the emphasis was on doing things hands-on it would turn out well. We have had excellent support over the years from our faculty and staff, all of whom have experience in the professional world of production.”
It is the combination of faculty experience, student enthusiasm and support from the college that has led WCC students to award-winning success. Student projects, which are handpicked for submission by Zacharias and Kier, are submitted directly to the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for judging.
This year’s WCC student winners, who took home top honors in each of their categories, were: Dalia Alsadi (Best Documentary), Shane Law (Best Commercial), Brian Puninske (Best Sports Feature) and Matt Wilkin (Best Director).
“When you look at the schools that WCC is competing against, it really speaks to the knowledge and support our faculty provides to our students,” said Dr. Kimberly Hurns, dean of business and computer technology. “Because of the hands-on nature and skill development that takes place here, our students not only build a portfolio while in our program, but also learn using the latest equipment.”
This was the fourth consecutive year WCC students have returned to campus with production awards in-hand, bringing the grand total of wins for the college and its students to 14.