EMU Today

YPSILANTI  --  Eastern Michigan University's second season of “EMU Today TV” will appear on Xfinity On Demand and on the University’s YouTube channel beginning Thursday, October 4, 2018. The half-hour program features positive programs, events and initiatives at Eastern, and provides opportunities for viewers to learn more from EMU deans, faculty, students and administrators about activities at the University.

The first episode of the second season kicks-off with Eastern Michigan University President James Smith and Kenneth Lord, new dean for the Eastern Michigan University Colllege of Business. 

Co-hosts for the program are Sarah Poteracki, a senior double majoring in Electronic Media and Film Studies, and Entertainment Design and Technology; and, Mark S. Lee, host of CBS Radio’s Small Talk with Mark S. Lee. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alumnus, and part time lecturer of Marketing at Eastern. He is an entrepreneur, Crain's Detroit blogger and frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics.

Dereka Bennett, a senior majoring in Media Studies and Journalism, is a field reporter to provide coverage of events occurring on campus.

“EMU Today TV allows Eastern students to play an important role in helping share information about the many positive activities and people that make Eastern Michigan University a special place,” said Walter Kraft, vice president for communications. “In this fragmented media environment it is more important than ever for organizations and businesses to develop their own content on their own channels -- and EMU Today TV is an example of that. Additionally, Eastern students get the added media and production experience they can include on their resumes, helping them to great jobs once they graduate.”

In addition to viewing on the University's YouTube channel, the program airs on the following days/times through the month on Xfinity On Demand, beginning Thursday, October 4:

• Thursdays @ 8:30 pm (Premier Day)
• Saturdays @ 8:00 am
• Sundays @ 10:30 am
• Tuesdays @ 9:30 am
• Wednesdays @ 4:00 pm

The program is directed by Keith Damron, associate professor of Electronic Media and Film Studies. During his career, Damon has worked as a production engineer and writer for E Entertainment Television, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Animation. He has worked at Eastern since 2002.

Steve Martin, radio and TV engineer in the School of Communications, Media & Theatre Arts is chief engineer and responsible for set design.

Lewis Hershey, head of the department of marketing and professor of marketing in the University’s College of Business, and Walter Kraft, vice president for communications, are co-producers along with Lee, who originated the program concept.

New episodes of EMU Today will be produced monthly through March 2019 and available on Xfinity On Demand. Xfinity customers can access the program by the following: Using their remote press Xfinity>On Demand>XFINITY Services>Get Local. For non-Xfinity customers, all episodes also will be available on the Eastern Michigan University YouTube channel.