Station Spotlight: Rowan University’s Rowan Television Network

Last Updated on May 22, 2014 by askcbiorg

Special thanks to Joe Ponisi, President/Station Manager of Rowan Television Network, for answering the questions!

 Tell me a little history about your station and where your station is now?
The Rowan Television Network (RTN) is a fully student-run organization at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. We are a fully operational 24/7 college TV station. In 2012, RTN completed its 3 year plan to become a fully functioning high definition TV station. This has been one of the biggest accomplishments for our station in our 30 year history. We have an active membership of over 60 students ranging from all different majors across campus. In 2010 we moved fully digital which was also the first year we bought our first HD camera. RTN has come from very humble, small beginnings and was for many years used as a resource for students to get hands-on experience in the field. Recently, under a new categorization provided by Rowan’s Student Government Association, RTN has been classified as a service organization to the university. RTN now balances hands-on experience to aspiring students as well as providing a broadcast service to Rowan University.

What sets your station apart from other college TV stations?
What sets RTN apart from other college TV stations is that we have a lot of various and unique programming. RTN features many different types of award winning shows ranging from “All Access with the Profs,” RTN’s version of sports center; “Game On” which features different video games ranging from all different types of platforms; and “Rowan 911!,” a sketch comedy spin off of “Reno 911!” This is just a select few of our diversified programs. RTN is also the official TV home of Rowan University Football and Hockey. We are able to provide the Rowan community with full coverage of these sports. On top of all that, members of RTN all share a sense of fellowship. We are an organization working to provide a service to our school, but at the same time, everybody involved in RTN treats it as a family. Being a completely student-run TV station, we all take great pride in working together as friends and co-workers to a certain goal.

Why did you choose to work at the TV station?
There were many reasons that I chose to join RTN. The main reason for joining was my love and passion for TV production. The second being the friendly environment that RTN strives to maintain. Television production is not only a hobby for RTN members, including myself, but a career aspiration. Working with this organization lets members see first-hand what they’re up against in the real world while having a great time doing it, making lifelong friends and working to serve our university.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for your station?
After Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in November 2013, RTN decided to raise relief efforts for the national disaster. A team of dedicated RTN students produced, promoted and broadcasted an hour and a half live benefit special for the typhoon victims. The Philippine Benefit Special: Typhoon Haiyan Relief featured live musical talent, interviews with relief organization and informational packages about the disaster. All proceeds from the spur-of-the-moment live event benefited Waves for Water. This event was similar to our annual telethon, which runs 5 hours and usually has about 5-6 months of preparation and is a huge undertaking for the station. The benefit special however, only had a mere two weeks of pre-production.

What’s the best part of college TV? And the hardest part?
The best part about being a college TV station is working with all the talented students. Seeing student production work and ideas progress and grow and seeing the material put out in the hands of the students is truly remarkable. The hardest part is knowing our limitations. We tend to be very ambitious. With so many talented members, a lot of times we get caught up in our big ideas. We often want to devote more time and effort to our craft but realize that we need to step back and always be students first.