The Compass Thursday, September 28, 2000 7
Maria Phelps, television producer, is the mastermind behind ECSU TV programs. Maria is shown above sitting in the campus studio, located in
the telecommunications building. —Photo by Amanda Parker
Communication Students Direct TV Programming
by Amanda Parker
Assistant Editor
Mass Communication students have
put their heads together and derived
plans for expanding the programming
of Elizabeth City State University's tele
vision station.
In 1986, ECSU was granted a license
to have a television station on campus,
but it was not until 1997 that persormel
began utilizing the facility.
Under the leadership of Mr. Elvin
Jenkins, program manager, the station
has elevated from dead air to having
regular, pre-recorded educational
shows, electronic bulletins and athletic
events on air. And, as a way to im
prove the stations programming, com
munications students have created new
show ideas.
"We would like to see our faces on
television. I and other students agree
that we, the students, should be in
volved in live interactive programs that
are produced for and by us," said Maria
Phelps, president of the Mass Media
Club and also the master mind behind
the project.
With consistency and diligence from
the Mass Media Club she plans to have
several programs rurming on Channel
43 before the end of the semester.
"Some possible show ideas are
'Planet Rock,' which is a show much
like BET's 'Planet Groove,' a news seg
ment, a talk show, a soap opera and a
student commentary," said Phelps.
For several semesters, Maria has been
working closely with Mr. Jenkins and
she has gained valuable knowledge
and experience in the area of television.
"I hate wasted talent. A lot of
ECSU Collegiate Cheer Program Welcomes New Coach
by LaQuisha Tisdal
Staff Writer
The Elizabeth City State University
Collegiate Cheer Program, which is de
signed to increase school spirit and in
terest in school activities, has a new
director.
Bom in Edenton, North Carolina, Mr.
Leon Rouson, director of the
cheerleading program for the 2000-2001
school year, enjoys reading and tennis.
He also receives satisfaction from see
ing the spirit and pride of students in
the school.
Mr. Rouson, an undergraduate from
North Carolina Central University is
well-rounded. While a student at North
Carolina Central University, Rouson
was the school's mascot, cheerleader
and Honors student. Currently he is a
Coach Leon Rouson
Math Education major and director of
the ECSU's Math and Science Educa
tion Network Pre-College Program.
With the support of two Assistant
Directors, Mrs. Lolita Turner and Mrs.
Melanie Baker, Mr. Rouson has cast a
new and refined coed squad. This pro
gram is part of the ECSU Athletic De
partment under the direction of Ath
letic Director, Dr. Edward McLean and
Ms. Addie Griffin, Senior Women's
Coordinator.
"We are all Vikings and we should
be very excited about being that," Mr.
Rouson states. His advice to cheerlead
ers and other college athletes is, "to
know yourself, know who you are,
have your own set of ideas, standards
and morals, maintain confidence, con
trol and security."
Rouson exclaims, "spirit, spirit, hype,
hype," is what the community and stu
dents will see when they see an ECSU
cheerleader, maintaining their "S.U.P."
(pronounced soup) which stands for
"Spirit, Unity and Pride."
students allow their talents to go un
noticed. We have a need for people in
front of the camera, and we also have a
need for students behind the camera,
like writers for the shows, camera per
sons and operators which will be
trained," said Phelps.
Jenkins has attempted to produce dif
ferent shows, but because he doesn't
have the time, the personnel or suffi
cient funding, the task of producing
more shows for the TV station has been
difficult. "It's nearly impossible for one
person to effectively do everything that
needs to be done," says Jenkins.
Jenkins refers to himself as a "jack of
all trades, but a master of none." "Cur
rently I'm a fund-raiser, a trainer and
the program manager," said Jenkins.
"I'm really excited that Maria has taken
the initiative to move the station for
ward."
Last year was the first time Channel
43 broadcast a live program. The sta
tion aired the Walk for Hunger tele
thon, which has been the only high
point for the station to date.
Jenkins stated that if the Mass Media
Club works toward producing more
shows, it will definitely benefit them
and the University in the future.
"Eventually I would like the Univer
sity to become the chief media source
of local news and local coverage," said
Jenkins. "The students should take a
stand and want to produce shows for
and by them."