A test bigger than a final exam is looming for communication students after wrapping up a Spring Quarter class.
If the first edition of Engage, a magazine examining undergraduate research and creative work, is deemed successful, the project could become a continuing publication.
The purpose of Engage is to raise awareness and promote undergraduate research among the student body
said Andrea Gibson, a Visual Communications 320 instructor.
Overviews of undergraduate students' creative and scientific work in any college are included, said Terry Eiler, the class' professor.
Feature stories on individual student research, profiles of former student researchers and useful information on how to get involved is the basis of the publication's content, said Gibson, director of research communications.
The interesting aspect of this publication is that it was produced and written by undergraduate students Gibson said.
Engage was conceptualized and produced by Ohio University undergraduates as the focus of a Magazine Practice course, Visual Communications 320, last Spring Quarter.
Journalism and visual communication students are both involved in Engage's production.
The goal of this project was to foster skills of text and visuals said Eiler, who is also director of the School of Visual Communication. We wanted the writers and photographers to work together as a whole.
OU senior Erin Dorr was responsible for writing feature stories as a member of the class.
It was a great opportunity where I gained more experience in magazine writing and interviewing
Dorr said.
In addition to two editors, nine other students filled positions as writers, photographers and illustrators.
All the students were in charge of interviewing
writing
brainstorming ideas and designing
Gibson said.
Engage will be mailed to students at the end of September.
The project operated on a budget of about $49,000, including $7,600 from the University 1804 Fund, Gibson said. Other contributions came from the research administration, the provost's office, vice president for regional higher education, college admissions and the nine undergraduate colleges.
The first issue will be evaluated with the possibility of future publications pending.
This year we were given a one-time fund for this special edition of Engage
Gibson said. We hope to secure funding from the university for a future publications.
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