Neumann University Connects Its Campus With TriCaster® and NDI®
By Jim Bask
From NewTek
Sean McDonald has the best job in the world, or at least that’s how he sees it. McDonald is Director of Media at Neumann University, just outside Philadelphia, and every day he introduces students to the world of media production armed with the latest technology.
“Seeing that ‘a-ha!’ moment in a student’s eyes is the thing that makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing,” McDonald says. “I have a lot of great tools to work with. I have a great studio space. I have a lot of great equipment, but without the students, it’s all just a bunch of toys. Working with my students and getting them to truly understand the technology, and work outside the box, drives me to continue to get better. It’s what makes me love coming to work every day.”
The Gem Atop The Holy Hill
Neumann University was founded in 1965 by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia, and was originally intended as a training ground for Catholic nuns who wanted to become nurses or teachers. Since then, the school has morphed and grown into a residential and commuter university with almost 2,100 undergrads and over 600 students enrolled in graduate programs.
“We call Neumann University the gem atop the Holy Hill,” McDonald says. “The school is located on the highest point in Delaware County. We’re about 20 minutes south of Philadelphia, and when you walk onto our wooded, suburban campus, you feel like you’re somewhere really special.”
Building a Production Facility, Building a Program
When McDonald joined the staff at Neumann ten years ago, the modestly equipped television studio facility was sitting empty six days a week. That changed once McDonald came on board. Neumann Media, a co-curricular organization open to any member of the student body, began to attract interest from students hungry to work in the empty studio and get their hands on the facility’s TriCaster Mini. Thanks to McDonald’s guiding force, Neumann Media eventually became the largest student organization on campus.
As Neumann grew, so did the school’s interest in digital media and video. In 2016, the University opened a new, $5,000,000 television and radio production center inside the university’s Thomas A. Bruder Student Life Center. That same year, Neumann launched its Communications and Digital Media undergraduate program. Students at Neumann are now preparing themselves for careers in digital media, learning on the latest equipment. And not surprisingly, NewTek TriCasters are still at the heart of the school state-of-the-art production facility….[continue reading]