Concordia Journal Home > Archives > October 15, 2009 issue >

Arts and Science launches recruitment DVD 

On Oct. 5, nearly 70 students, faculty and staff gathered in the CJ atrium to officially launch Choose Arts and Science, a DVD aimed at recruiting undergraduate students to the Faculty.

The event presented an opportunity for attendees to get to know recently appointed Faculty Dean Brian Lewis, who began his five-year term on August 1.
Lewis took the opportunity to praise the video as a lively profile of the university's largest Faculty.

"This is a perfect example of the dynamism of our students, faculty and the programs we offer," said Lewis. "It's an achievement that directly reflects the university's commitment to student recruitment and retention [as outlined in the Strategic Framework], and we are exceptionally proud to put this forward."

Lewis' address to the crowd was followed by words from Associate Dean, Student Academic Services, Catherine Bolton, who also expressed pride in the video.

"From the onset, we wanted the video to represent all the facets of the Faculty; not an easy job in a seven minute video," said Bolton, "but we accomplished what we set out to do."

The idea for the video began in March as Bolton, Arts and Science Communications Advisor Lynn Roy and Assistant to the Dean Heather Adams-Robinette considered a new way to pique interest among potential students. When the idea of a DVD solidified, they hired communications studies student Tatjana Lazar shortly after as production assistant to organize auditions and co-write the first draft of the script with fellow comms student Howie Pun. After the lengthy processes of filming and production were completed, the final product was ready to air in September.

For second-year journalism undergrads Michel Boyer and Sarah Deshaies, who found out about the audition for the video's host through a Facebook posting, being cast for the video was a role both happily accepted.

"I love my program, and that made making it all that much easier," said Boyer. Deshaies readily echoed his comments, saying, "I'm happy to do something like this. It was a lot of fun."

Other students involved in creating the video were: Victoria Bakrdjian, Kenroy Broderick, Jonathan Fournier, Alina Gotcherian, Heather Lucas, Melanie Thompson, Nick von Roretz and Tamir Weintraub.