Posted Sept. 21, 2015

In other words...

Bill Rogers - Executive Director, South Carolina Press Association

The new building has been a long time coming, but it is a great leap forward for the journalism program. I remember teaching in the Coliseum when there would be days I never saw the sun. The windows alone are wonderful, but it's really a great facility in so many ways. Incoming students will be really impressed. 

Stephen Brown, '95 Public Relations - Managing Director, Cohn & Wolfe

Just like the building, the amazing grand opening event combined tradition and innovation from the social media reveals, drones, and tweet walls to outstanding remarks by faculty, staff and students. The event set the stage for spectacular work to come. 

Haley Hinze, M.M.C. student

Though I only spent a year in the Coliseum, I knew moving to a new home was a long-awaited milestone for many. Attending the grand opening and seeing the decades of alumni, faculty and friends of the school come together to celebrate the new building was an honor and something I'll remember as a highlight of my graduate career. I even got to meet Cocky, a dream of mine as a lifelong Gamecock fan. I'm so glad I get to spend my last semester in a building that has surpassed any expectation I had, and I look forward to seeing the School of Journalism and Mass Communications grow and thrive as an alumna myself.

Dr. Tom Klipstine, Associate Professor and Interim Coordinator, Master of Mass Communication 

I think the idea of having the facility now, combined with the faculty we have, is just a fantastic advantage for our students. It brings us up to one of the better journalism schools in the country, plus now we really have the resources, the facilities, the faculty, to become even better. 

John Brunelli, '89 Broadcast Journalism - Multimedia Producer, USC Office of Public Relations

The new journalism school, with its state-of-the-art technology, is nicer than any one of the four TV stations I worked. Students should be excited to know that. I'm more excited about what the new space holds as it relates to the curriculum. The classroom spaces are perfect for collaboration between broadcast, visual communications and advertising/public relations. It's the perfect environment for shaping the journalists of tomorrow. In fact, it's gotten me so excited that this might be the right time to get my masters. 

Collyn Taylor - junior journalism major

I spent four years of high school (attending scholastic journalism workshops) plus my first two years of college in the windowless bomb shelter of the Coliseum. When I moved onto campus, I heard about the new building but it was never something I really thought about.

That changed Wednesday when I was able to not only attend the new journalism school’s dedication, but see part of one of my favorite bands — Hootie and the Blowfish — play also.

Standing at the dedication I watched journalism alumni  beam with pride while touring this new state-of-the-art building. And standing among the students with the vibrations from the speakers floating over as Darius and Mark played, I could see the smiles on their faces because this was also for them. 

Ralph Gregory, ’54 Journalism 

It's an exciting time for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. It's a long progressive improvement that goes back to my days when we  were on the Horseshoe.  Now it's a modern technology and a real showpiece for the school, and I’m congratulating everyone that had anything to do with it.

Chrysti Shain, '85 Print Journalism - Web Editor, DiscoverSouthCarolina.com

What a grand celebration for our new building and our future. As I walked through the atrium and saw so many people who love our school, I couldn't help but think about our next generation of journalists. It's so exciting to think of the possibilities, especially now that we can dream while looking out of the windows!

Michaela Baker - freshman visual communications major

Although I am only a freshman, I spent many days in the Carolina Coliseum attending high school journalism conventions and conferences. With no cell service, no windows and a 15-minute walk to the heart of campus, the school seemed to hide rather than shine.

When I heard the school was moving to a new location and would open for my freshman year of college,  I hoped everything would go as planned so I could experience the new building for all four years of my collegiate career. And it did!

With most of the kinks ironed out and classes already in the swing of things, the grand opening event celebrated the state-of-the-art technology, multiple broadcast studios, new Mac labs and windows. I am so excited to be a member of the first class of students who will spend four years in this brand new building!