Valdosta State University News Now

Student selected to attend national television conference

Kathy Thomas, a Valdosta State University senior from Jacksonville, Fla., was selected as one of 30 interns for the 38th annual National Association of Television Producers and Executives (NATPE) Conference in Las Vegas, Jan. 22-25.

Thomas, a mass communications major, assists in the production of a weekly television news show on VSU's local cable station; is a disc jockey on WVVS (909FM); and is vice president of the university's chapter of the National Broadcast Society.

Thomas is the daughter of Mrs. Claudette Thomas and Mr. E.L. Thomas of Jacksonville, Fla. She is a graduate of First Coast High School.

VSU to offer summer study in Belize

Valdosta State University's Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice is offering a study abroad program in Belize June 3-29. This year's program will focus on ethnographic writing in and around Punta Gorda, a seaside village of 3,000 inhabitants in the south of the country.

?The relaxed pace of life in this ethnically diverse village makes it an ideal location for anthropological fieldwork,? according to Dr. Matthew Richard. ?It's one of the last places in the country that's not connected to the heart of the country through pavement. They?re working on a road now, and Punta Gorda is probably going to be a major tourist destination within ten years.?

The $1,906 cost includes airfare, in-country transportation, accommodation, two meals per day and weekend excursions. Scholarships are available. For further information, contact Richard at (229) 333-5485.

VSU art students produce designs for Lee Development Corporation

Recently, juniors from VSU's Interior Design program were commissioned by Lee Development Corporation to propose designs for the remodeling of a building in downtown Valdosta. ?It's an historic property,? according to Debra Brooks, coordinator of the Interior Design program. In the past, the building has been used for a variety of purposes including a stable, garage, furniture store and a candy factory. ?It was part of the National Guard offices at one point,? Brooks said.

Currently, three businesses are located on the building's first floor. Working in teams of two, the students proposed designs for the second and third floors. ?They did some proposals for office space, banquet facilities, an on-site kitchen, meeting rooms, art studios and loft apartments. It's a great old building-I think it will be dynamic when it's finished,? Brooks said.

"Many workable, creative design ideas have been presented by the students," said Albert E. Slone of Lee Development. The members of the winning team, Shilo Crane and Brigid Porvaznik, were presented checks for $125.