04/09/2026
Join Media Studies students and faculty Thursday April 23rd from 4-7 pm for an open house at Verra Creative, 21 Nicol St. The event will offer a year-end sample of student projects, mingling with industry guests, and recognition of graduates. From 5-5:45 pm, the event will unveil a highlight reel of videos, the online magazine
Bright’s latest good news, and excerpts from graduate projects for guests and curious attendees who want a taste of what the department has been up to in its 21st year.
The department invites people to stop by, check out student stations to participate in interactive demos, ask questions, or screen trailers in this innovative and informational open-house event.
“One of the thrills of being a professor is seeing the pride students take in their unique work as creative media makers knowing they’re starting a conversation with the public that continues a dialogue about the role media could, and should, play--present and future,” says Joy Gugeler, department Chair.
Presentations by students in the program speak to their passion for digital storytelling and imaginative expression, research, and making media that combines text, audio, video, and analysis on a diverse array of increasingly pressing subjects. The department is founded on the principle that theory and practice are synergistic, so students learn both the technical requirements of the media they are making and its power in the evolving media landscape from AI to news, social media to music, TV and radio to Web 3.0.
At 6:30 the department will recognize this year’s graduates with short video clips of interviews with departing students assembled by professor Debra Pentecost. “I always look forward to our end-of-year celebration and honouring our students. Throughout the year they are challenged to produce work that varies in skill and knowledge required. That range of critical analysis and media production is central to our department, and it’s thrilling to see how this year’s students have grappled with that synthesis,” says Pentecost, teaching the senior project course this term.
The Showcase is also an opportunity for industry experts to meet new talent, introducing them to game developers, content marketers, podcasters, and documentarians among others. “Documentary was the objective this spring and students in MEDI 380 delivered in a big way, with variety in subject and some spectacular results!” said Richard Boyce, instructor for the department’s third-year video production course.
“I look forward to the showcase every year. The projects that students exhibit are not only indicative of what they’ve learned in one course, but also the cumulative knowledge and skills they’ve developed throughout Media Studies. The showcase is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates while also inspiring returning students to be ambitious in their own work,” says Karen Skardzius, teaching media literacy, research skills, and game studies among other classes.
Join us for refreshments, presentations, and networking at Verra Creative; faculty and students look forward to connecting! Parking is available on adjoining streets and in the nearby Port Place mall parking lot.
For more information contact Media Studies Chair Joy Gugeler at: [email protected]
