Ode to the Students and Bill

I have been following your summer adventures ever since my trip to the CMA Music Fesitval in Nashville and have enjoyed reading about your experiences. I apology for the lateness of this entry but I decided this morning that I would make the time to write to you.

I enjoyed talking with many of you during my visit and could see clearly in your eyes what this experience meant to you. I also had the opportunity to talk to many of the seasoned veterans in the video industry with whom you interacted with during your week in Nashville. They were very impressed by your skills, work ethic, and your love for the profession. I credit your instructor, Bill Callison, for lighting that fire in each of you and I credit each of you for taking that burning ember Bill ignited and turning it into a roaring flame. I encourage each of you to continue to share and talk about your experiences and the difference it is making in your life. It's time that more people learn about "Purdue's well-kept secret"! If you are so inclined, a quick note to the Dean of your College would do a lot to help Bill, Professor Lawton and I to solidify this program as a legitimate experiential learning opportunity at Purdue.

I am very proud of each of you and do take great satisfaction in seeing each of you grow into industry professionals! Seeing you succeed reinforces in me why I got involved in the higher education process. To me the true measure of someone's life is if, when it is all said and done, he/she made a difference in someone else's life. Both personally and professionally, I feel rewarded in knowing that my small contribution in helping facilitate these internship experiences is helping make that kind of difference for you.

To my friend and colleague Bill, sometimes you are a bit unorthodox in how you go about it but you have a wonderful gift for imparting knowledge and exciting the students about the TV/ video/ and film profession. Your strong belief in the Demming principles show in your teaching style and it is obvious, at least to me anyway, that you are making a significant contribution to the students' future. Keep your head out of the ice water and remember to get your paperwork done :-)

I thought I would share a few pixs from Nashville. Hopefully they won't seem like a tribute to Adam and Tommy alone. They just happened to be there in front of my camera a lot :-) I look forward to talking to all of you again very soon.

Steve Hall
Director
Hall of Music Productions