PotashCorp gives $19,000 donation to ASU
The Department of Communications and Professional Writing at Augusta State University has received a donation in the amount of $19,703 from PotashCorp. The gift was presented to the department on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
“The Department of Communications and Professional Writing is thrilled to have received this generous gift from PotashCorp,” said Pamela Hayward, chair of ASU’s Department of Communications and Professional Writing. “The funding will truly help us offer more learning opportunities for our students as they prepare for their future careers.”
According to ASU Communications Professor Rick Pukis, this grant from PotashCorp will be used to replace the current recording equipment in the university’s Television and Cinema Lab (TVC Lab) with a Tricaster 455. This high-tech compact computer system is comprised of a video/audio mixer, native support for extensive range of file formats, and 24 virtual sets that can be used when filming on a green screen.
“By having the Tricaster 455, we are giving our students the chance to use the latest technology which makes them more competitive in the job market,” Pukis said. “So, we are grateful to have the support of PotashCorp as we continue to give our students the opportunities they need to reach their academic goals.”
Michael Lepp, an ASU communications major, is one of the many students who says the hands-on learning experience that can be done in the TVC Lab helped him to get hired at a local news station.
“I believe the experience that I had working with the equipment in the TVC Lab helped me to get my job as an associate producer at NBC 26 News,” Lepp said. “I am very grateful to have had this opportunity, and I appreciate PotashCorp for their financial support in helping the university.”
PotashCorp is the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, producing the three primary crop nutrients. This is not the first time PotashCorp has partnered with Augusta State in offering educational opportunities to students and community. Earlier this year, the company gave a $10,000 gift to the department to assist with the other improvements in the TVC Lab. PotashCorp also supported the ASU Literacy Center by contributing $7,500 during the university’s annual A Day for ASU campaign.
