News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 5/24/04   Click on image for publication quality photo RIBBON-CUTTING OPENS NEW STUDIO – Southeastern President Randy Moffett and Charter Communications General Manager Kelly LeBouef cut a ceremonial ribbon officially opening the new state-of-the-art studio for the Southeastern Channel. Pictured from left are Brett Bova, president of the Student Government Association; Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess; Gerald Guidroz, dean of continuing education; Moffett; Ponchatoula Mayor-Elect Robert Zabbia; LeBoef; Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster; Hammond Chamber of Commerce President Kathy Stuart; Rick Settoon, general manager of the Southeastern Channel; Al Link, president of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board; and Randy Ward and Ken Fowler of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. SOUTHEASTERN DEDICATES NEW STUDIO FACILITIES      HAMMOND -- Snipping a ceremonial ribbon, Southeastern Louisiana University officials dedicated a fully refurbished and state-of-the art television studio in the University Center on Monday. Part of the Southeastern Channel, the university’s cable access station which reaches into approximately 92,000 homes on the north shore, the new facility features a completely redesigned and equipped production studio with new sets and a high-tech control room.       “This new facility will greatly improve the broadcast quality of the programs that Southeastern is producing for our neighboring communities,” said Southeastern President Randy Moffett. “It provides a highly professional environment in which our students can learn the art and skill of television broadcasting while using the latest equipment. The hands-on opportunities our communication students will gain in this real-world classroom are invaluable in preparing them for professional careers.”      Moffett cited the strong relationship between the university and Charter Communications in creating the Southeastern Channel.      “Charter Communications has been a valuable partner from the outset,” Moffett added, noting the cooperation of Charter General Manager Kelly LeBouef. “They fully supported the concept of a university-operated station that would enable us to expand our educational, economic and cultural outreach into the communities we serve.”      Station manager Rick Settoon said the facility also includes a new lighting and air conditioning system, computerized dimmer console, a 16-input switcher with chroma key capabilities, 24-track audio console, 14 monitors, an edit controller, computer graphics station, and an intercom and studio talkback system for communication between the control room and studio staff. New mobile digital cameras will provide a high quality broadcast image, he said.      “The quality of the new studio exceeds that found at most university television stations,” Settoon added. “It allows us to create a great on-air look for the Southeastern Channel and upgrades our ability for original production and programming for our viewers.”      In partnership with Charter Communications, the Southeastern Channel began airing in Tangipahoa and parts of Livingston Parish in July 2002 on Charter Cable Channel 18, reaching approximately 23,000 homes. This month, the channel and Charter Communications announced an expansion into St. Tammany and Washington parishes on Charter Cable Channel 17, quadrupling the station’s reaching into 33 different communities with approximately 240,000 potential viewers.      The channel broadcasts a variety of telecourses, teacher-training and tutorial programs, and university-sponsored events such as concerts, lectures, theatrical and athletic events. The schedule includes college-level telecourses that can be taken for credit, documentaries, community talk shows, TV magazine programs and public affairs programming produced by Southeastern faculty, staff and students. Several Southeastern Channel programs have recently been cited with national and international awards against major competition in the television industry.