East Tennessean, The Edge move into new space in D.P. Culp Student Center

JOHNSON CITY (Aug. 27, 2021) – East Tennessee State University’s Student Media Center will host an open house on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 2-4 p.m. as part of the campus Weeks of Welcome.

The Student Media Center (SMC), part of the D.P. Culp Student Center’s $45 million renovation, houses the East Tennessean, the student-run newspaper of ETSU, and will soon be the new home of The Edge 89.5 HD 4, the student-run radio station of ETSU.

The center also features the One Button Studio, a one-stop shop professional-quality presentation recording studio, and an audio-video editing suite. Assistance with various media-related projects will also be available.

Student representatives as well as professional staff will be on hand for the open house.

“The Student Media Center is a culmination of a long-term vision of a lot of people,” said Don Armstrong, director of Student Media. “It will serve not only media students but has features that should be attractive to all ETSU students.”

The East Tennessean moved into the center in early March 2020, just before the pandemic forced the majority of ETSU students online. However, the East Tennessean continued with online coverage and still produced 25 print issues in the 2020-21 academic year. With ETSU returning to the on-campus experience this fall, the East Tennessean plans to produce 40 print issues in 2021-22.

“I am so excited for the Student Media Center to get the proper spotlight it deserves,” said Allison Winters, East Tennessean executive editor for 2021-22 and SMC graduate assistant. “Although its exposure to the student population has been very limited, I think this school year will be a prime opportunity for students to become aware of everything the Student Media Center has to offer.

“The Student Media Center allows Culp visitors to have a transparent look at the happenings in the East Tennessean offices. You can look in and see our staff hard at work in a way that wasn’t quite as possible before. We want to be visible and recognized on campus, so this space reflects that wish.”

The Edge furniture and equipment installation began in early August. The radio station is planning a grand opening celebration on Oct. 1 as part of World College Radio Day.

“The Edge is thrilled to be moving into our new space and feel that we can be an even stronger voice for our ETSU students and community,” said Candy Bryant, adviser to The Edge. “We’ll be announcing some very special activities for the fall semester, so turn us on at 89.5 HD 4 or find us on TuneIn.”