Films in this fall's SMADFEST explore 'self-discovery and identity'

Digital Video and Cinema students produced three films — “A Night Alone,” “Roommates” and “True Stories of a Recipe Blog Writer” — that will debut at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Grafton-Stovall Theater.

Professor emeritus' documentary shifts the spotlight off stage

John Woody, a SMAD professor emeritus, followed concert photographers for his documentary “A Year in the Pit,” which will be featured Dec. 11-12 at Harrisonburg’s Court Square Theater.

Five pieces of career advice alumni offered during SMAD Day

SMAD students and alumni spent the Friday of Homecoming weekend connecting during resume reviews, panel discussions, workshops and general networking spread across Harrison Hall as part of SMAD Day.

Washington Post editing chief Courtney Rukan to speak with students Nov. 5

In a session on Nov. 5, Courtney Rukan, part of the first SMAD graduating class in 2000, will talk with students about digital and multimedia storytelling and editing.

Dr. Smalls featured on episode of ‘With Good Reason’ radio program

Dr. Morgan Smalls explained to a national audience how shows such as HBO’s “Insecure” and BET’s “Being Mary Jane” are reflecting a broader array of characters and peoples’ experiences.

SMAD Day returns! Be there Nov. 5.

The Nov. 5 event will allow SMAD alumni, students and faculty to connect with resumé reviews, career panels, workshops, a job fair and more.

Anderson wins interactive award for his teaching site

Dr. Steve Anderson won a w3 gold award from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts this week for his “Build this Portfolio” site that helps students learn how to incorporate features into their online showcases.

Applications open for Latinx studies cohort hire

Following a successful seven-faculty cohort hire in 2020-21, the College of Arts and Letters is launching its second cohort search for six outstanding, tenure-track faculty working broadly across Latinx studies.

The Breeze gains national Pacemaker recognition

The Breeze, the multimedia news organization run by JMU students, is among 28 finalists for a Pacemaker Award for top collegiate online site for 2020-21.

Breeze TV among finalists for college TV station of the year

Five years after it launched, Breeze TV the weekly news program reported and produced by student journalists is one of five finalists for the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Award for four-college TV station of the

SMAD professor's workshop helps refugees find focus

Prof. Elisabeth Kvernen led a photography workshop with area high school students who are refugees from other countries. Now their images are being featured at a downtown gallery.

Prof. Dinç awarded $50K grant to produce documentary

Prof. Nefin Dinç received a $50,000 grant funded by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey to produce a documentary about environmental issues in the Mediterranean region.

Media arts and design professor awarded fellowship to study representations of Black women in pop culture

Smalls’ research will use popular culture as an entryway to conversations on race, class, gender and power in television and digital media spaces.

SMAD students win Fulbright and Gilman awards

Aliyah Hall, a 2021 SMAD graduate, was named an alternate for a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, and Avery Goodstine, a rising sophomore, received a national Gilman Scholarship to study abroad.

Rising senior wins 2nd at international film festival’s ‘Pitch Fest’

Gannon La Croix, a DVC student, placed second at RiverRun International Film Festival’s “Pitch Fest” in May for his description of the documentary he’s working on about a special network of caves in Virginia.

Serving the college

The 19 retirees have collectively contributed over 500 years of service to their units, the college, the university and the local community.

Democracy Matters - Episode 60: Free the Press

What is the role of a free press in democracy?

‘A window to where we are’: Jackson picks up where he left off at the White House

Alumni spotlight: Lawrence Jackson, a 1990 graduate, has made a career capturing historic images. And he’s back in the White House as the official photographer for Vice President Kamala Harris.

SMADFEST will feature student films at 7 p.m. May 6 on YouTube

Digital Video and Cinema students will present their work — five films by 17 seniors — during SMADFEST, which premiers at 7 p.m. May 6 on a YouTube livestream.

Creative Advertising students to present capstone presentations May 5 on Facebook Live

Senior-level Creative Advertising students will present their capstone projects, a compilation of advertising campaign designs, at 8 p.m. May 5 on SMAD’s Facebook page.

Interactive Design students to make their pitches to client

Students in the Interactive Design concentration on April 24 will present online systems they've created for a client.

Alumni spotlight: Understanding the gravity of the situation was grad’s goal

Jesse Sands, who graduated in 2020, turned an independent study project into an animated video about the basics of astrophysics that’s already being used in Virginia classrooms.

Congratulations to SMAD scholarship winners and outstanding seniors

SMAD faculty, donors, alumni and supporters honored graduating seniors and scholarship winners at the annual awards ceremony. Here's who won.

SMAD ceremony on April 14 will honor seniors, scholarship winners

SMAD scholarship winners and graduating seniors from all concentrations will be honored at the department’s annual awards ceremony at 7 p.m. April 14 in a video ceremony streamed on Facebook Live.

The Breeze toasts its graduating leaders and welcomes new top editors

After a year like no other, leaders of the news organization hand over the reins to their successors. Here's what's ahead for all of them.

Alumna enlists SMAD students to help cover influencers

Nastacia Nickolaou (‘18) launched Behind the Filter, a site that covers social media influencers. And she’s selected current SMAD students to report on that world.

SMAD Spotlight: 2020 grad starts career with Va. Press Women Foundation award

Peyton Kennedy — now a multimedia reporter for the CBS affiliate in State College, Pennsylvania — won the 2020 Agnes Cook Scholarship.

First generation student event set for 5 p.m. March 24

The CAL Diversity Council and TORCH, the FirstGen student organization, will host a Zoom reception. Here's how to preregister.