Putting Immersive Industry Experiences Within Reach Of All Ohio University MDIA Students

Students in the School of Media Arts and Studies (MDIA) have access to a wide array of study away programs to help reinforce what they’ve learned on campus and apply it in real-world settings.

These immersive programs offer the opportunity to network with alumni and others who are leaders in their industries and provide experiences that prepare students for a career in their chosen field.

MDIA Students travel all over the country and the world to participate in programs like:

• South by Southwest (SXSW)
• OHIO-in-LA
• Ireland: Screenwriting and Documentary Storytelling
• Storytelling, Technology and Digital Media in Theme Parks
• Bonnaroo & Forecastle Festival — Music Industry Masterclass
• MDIA Music Mixing Masterclass Series: NYC with Michael Brauer
• MDIA Music Production Masterclass Series: Austin, TX with Jim Eno at Public Hi-Fi Studio
• Spain: Screenwriting and Documentary Storytelling
• WOUB Public Media Gladden House Sessions at Nelsonville Music Festival
• Animation and Culture in Tokyo

Give today to help to provide these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students.

Because confidence leads to success, Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies’ Immersive Industry Experiences focus a lot on boosting students’ confidence in themselves. These experiences push the boundaries: MDIA students’ learning is never limited to the classroom and opportunities for one-on-one interactions with industry leaders are plentiful. 

A natural result of this approach is that students find those important connections that foster career advancement.

However, an immersive industry experience is not within reach for all students. Often times, the cost of the experience is beyond what an MDIA student can afford. Not only does this impact the student’s hands-on learning, but also who they know and what their industry and alumni network looks like. It certainly effects their confidence too – watching through social media posts as their peers experience those life-changing opportunities.

To remedy this and be a position to help more student in the future, we’re asking for donations to The Ralph J. Bitzer Memorial Advancement Fund. This unique fund allows the School of Media Arts and Studies to assist students with scholarships, to assist with internship expenses, and overall, to enhance the quality of learning for students. 

The fund was established in honor of Ralph J. Bitzer who graduated from Ohio University in 1946 with a degree in electrical engineering. His company designed and constructed many radio and tv stations throughout the US. He was a strong advocate of education for young people.

Ralph J. Bitzer (Sandusky, OH) in 1946 Athena yearbook

The future of MDIA is immersive, and we want all students to be ready. Immersive experiences transform the ordinary into an unforgettable adventure. They capitalize on students’ years of classroom and academic learning and help convert that knowledge into resume-boosting proficiencies. These experiences also help students retain what they’ve learned in new ways.

To make sure this fund remains available to help students, we are asking all alumni of Media Arts and Studies (and its predecessor programs Radio-TV and TCOM), to make a gift to the Bitzer Fund.

There are several ways you can support current and future MDIA students:

• Make a gift here, in support of this Putting Immersive Industry Experiences Within Reach Of All Ohio University MDIA Students [fundraising] crowdfunding campaign.
• Mail a check (payable to The Ohio University Foundation) to The Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701; be sure to write Ralph Bitzer Memorial Advancement Fund on the memo line.
• Talk with Senior Director of Development Amanda DeWees about a transformational gift or your interest in establishing your own endowment in support of the School of Media Arts and Studies.
• If you want to explore making a charitable gift to this campaign with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), giving via a Donor Advised Fund or stock transfer, please reach out to Amanda DeWees.

Gifts of all sizes – and types! – support the students who are following in your footsteps. Thank you, and Go Bobcats!