Samford University’s broadcast journalism students are stepping into a professional-grade learning environment following the completion of a newly renovated media studio, a space designed to better prepare students for careers in news, media and digital storytelling.
The updated studio supports Samford’s broadcast journalism major, the student-run Samford News Network, classroom instruction and a variety of Media Center productions. The renovation reflects the university’s continued investment in experiential learning across Howard College of Arts and Sciences.
“The renovated studio allows us to align our curriculum with the realities of today’s media landscape,” said Ignatius Fosu, chair of the Department of Communication and Media. “Students are applying concepts in a professional environment that mirrors what they’ll encounter in the field, which is essential to their growth as communicators and storytellers.”
The studio was completed in December after several weeks of upgrades, including new soundproofing, lighting and a redesigned set, according to Jon Tackett, Samford’s Media Center manager.
Funded through generous gifts to Howard College of Arts and Sciences, the renovation reflects how donor support, guided by the leadership of Dean Dawn McCormack, makes transformative learning experiences possible.
For students, the impact is immediate, shaping both their classroom experience and professional preparation.
“I’m most excited to be able to film episodes of the Samford News Network in this new studio and send that work to future employers,” said Jayla Duncan, a senior journalism and mass communications major with double minors in political science and sports media. “This gives me real-world experience so that when I apply for jobs, it won’t be my first time working in a fully functional studio.”
Frances Inabnet, a senior journalism and mass communications major with a minor in general business, said the new studio’s professional atmosphere has already changed how students approach their work.
“The polished and professional look of the new studio is inspiring,” Inabnet said. “It makes students excited to anchor and produce content, whether they’ve done it before or not.”
The studio also serves as a collaborative space for students working behind the scenes. Grace Moresco, a senior game design major who works in the Media Center, said the renovation has been long anticipated.
“I remember what the old studio looked like, and this new space has been something a lot of people have been excited about for a long time,” Moresco said. “Experiencing a real studio environment before graduation makes a huge difference when you’re entering the workforce.”
Students also highlighted the studio’s technical upgrades, including customizable lighting and improved production capabilities.
“I love the versatility of the new studio, especially the lighting,” said Anne Elise Cairns, a senior journalism and mass communications major. “Being able to change the LED colors and understand how everything works together helps you know what to expect when you walk into another studio after graduation.”
For Shelby Bauerkemper, a senior journalism and mass communications major, the studio offers flexibility as she explores career options.
“It’s great to be able to diversify my skill set and build my portfolio with the broadcasts we’ll produce here,” Bauerkemper said. “That’s something I’ll be able to show my future employers.”
With the renovated studio now fully operational, faculty and students alike see it as a space that bridges classroom learning and professional practice—one that will shape Samford storytellers for years to come.
Experiences like those made possible by the newly renovated media studio reflect why the university earned multiple Top 10 national rankings in the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges list, including a #3 ranking for career preparation and #7 for learning opportunities.
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